| The successes of previous Race Days meant that the event had grown from 50 tables of 10 to 67 tables of the same number. The mastermind behind the panning, organising and running the day from a very early start to a very late finish was again Geoff Goldsborough - an honorary Life Member of Spoon Ulster. Geoff lost a stone and a half in the last few months in the preparation and run-up to the day and his wife Gail suggested he just keeps organising days like this to keep him trim!
The massive marquee was erected on Thursday and decked out with chandeliers, helium balloons, bunting and banners. There was also 10 big screen TV’s, a stage, bar with waiter service, a tote area, a kitchen and 2 outside toilet suites. Security staff were present to ensure only badge holders got access to the tent. The 670 attendees started to arrive by coach car and on foot at noon. They found their tables easily with the aid of a gigantic table plan. There was a cash bar before and after lunch and each table had complimentary race cards and 4 bottles of wine to get lunch under way.
The lunch was Irish smoked salmon and farm house wheaten bread for starters, chargrilled fillet steak for the main course and a platter of Irish Farm House cheeses with coffee and mints to follow. The specialist caterers Hamilton and Kirk did us Spoon members proud. The legendary comedian Gene Fitzpatrick was the emcee for the day and we had our own race day tipster who set the scene for the 7 races. The £10 ballot had a first prize of 7 days in a superior 4 star hotel in Dubai with flights and all transport included. The second prize was a 3 night break in Barcelona again with flights and transport included and the 3rd prize was a case of fine wines.
The racing started at 2.30 and finished at 6pm and the night continued with singing and cabaret, Irish Dancing by nurses from the Royal Hospital Intensive Care Unit in Belfast and guest appearance from Elvis and Frank Sinatra. A very wide range of music was provided all day and night by Panache, aka Alan Crawford - a regular at days like this. Complementary bacon rolls and hot dogs, tea and coffee were served before coaches arrived at 10pm.
The event was a joint benefitting event with five other local charities including Revive (Royal Hospital Intensive Care Unit), Shine a Light (Children’s Cancer Care), PEAT, (Help Children with Autism) ASBAH (Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus)and the IRFU Charitable Trust (Helping with severely injured rugby players shared £10,000 each. Wooden Spoon also benefited to the tune of £10,000 and thanks go to all who made the day possible with special commendations to George Nelson, a member of the Ulster Spoon Committee. We would also like to thank the Perennials Management Team and those present who contributed so generously to the ballot. A tremendous day was had by one and all and Ulster Spoon Chairman Allen Gibson agreed that Gail Goldsborough may see her husband Geoff lose another 1 ½ stone as 29th August has been provisionally booked for next year's event.
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