PLEASE NOTE DATE FOR 2023 IS FRIDAY 24TH MARCH, PARK PLAZA RIVERBANK, 18 ALBERT EMBANKMENT
PICT lunch returns to great aplomb
After what seems like forever and a couple of false starts due to the pandemic, the PICT Annual Lunch finally took place on Friday 11th March, and what a brilliant ‘do‘ it was.
After a couple of ‘will it, won’t it’ moments, the lunch, the first since March 2019, was held at its usual venue, the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel on London’s Albert Embankment. And as always, the lunch took place after the AGM, again the first to be held in person and not as a conference call, which was followed by the obligatory pre-lunch drinks.
Proceedings kicked off with the Loyal Toast given by Joe Piggott in his own inimitable style. And following a delicious starter of oak smoked salmon, Peter Bothwick and Andy Thompson announced that the legendary game of Heads and Tails would take place. It didn’t take long for the room to be left with only five contenders who made their way to the stage to continue their quest to be the winner. And then it was all over … with the winning person very graciously agreeing to donate the money back to the charity. A great gesture.
Peter and Andy then took the opportunity to auction some of the items including an overnight stay at the Park Plaza hotel, and a four ball golf day at Westerham golf course. After the mains, a very tasty Beef shin with fondant potatoes, roasted baby beets and a red wine jus, and while the plates were being cleared, a David Luiz Brazil shirt as well as two hospitality box tickets for Manchester United against Norwich, were auctioned, both raising princely sums. A yummy dessert of passion fruit and citrus cheesecake was then served, followed by coffee – and a comfort break.
Then, Peter Bothwick, in his unofficial role of MC, introduced Tony Woods as PICT’s new President, whose first job was to present past President badges to not only Rod Benwell, but Peter Bothwick as well – this because no Annual Lunch had been held since 2019.
Tony then went onto give his speech – with many tables participating in the age-old tradition of timing the speech hoping that their guess will be closest in order to win a drink off their colleagues!
After Tony had welcomed everyone to the lunch – stating it was the first for three years – and introducing his special guests, he began by asking all the assembled to take a few quiet seconds to reflect on the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Ukraine.
After this time of reflection, he continued by saying: “In comparison to former PICT Presidents who normally talk about the previous year’s events, I have the dubious pleasure of having three years to reflect upon momentous happenings such as Brexit (do you remember Brexit?), a tragic Pandemic and the advent of the strange world of Woke.” He went onto say that all would be aware that the past three years had been some of the most difficult times that the paper and many other industries have experienced. He went on to talk about the effects that Brexit had on many companies and then the Pandemic, and the chilling effect on business due to the almost total shutdown of the economy. He added: “Although Government assistance helped many companies get through, others having to mitigate the financial effect made many good and hard-working colleagues redundant, let’s hope that with the recovery many of these will find their way back into the industry.”
He continued by saying whilst all the events have been traumatic, it is the rising cost of paper and board which presents the great threat and challenge to the industry today. “Whilst some elements of our industry have benefitted from changing consumer patterns such as graphical board and packaging due to the growth of on-line shopping and the increased use of packaging, other areas of commercial print, publishing and office papers have seen declining demand for at least the last 15 years.”
Tony then told the guests why the PICT lunch was so important, explaining: “It is not just to meet your industry chums but to support the Paper Industry Charitable Trust.” He elucidated that the funds it raises enables the Trust to assist current and past Paper Industry employees and their families in times of great need. He then cited some examples of those that had been helped by PICT monies. Adding: “Small contributions from PICT make a big difference to those affected.” He stressed that all requests for assistance were treated with the utmost confidentiality.
He added that PICT, like many other charities, had a very difficult time during 2020 and 2021 with hardly any fundraising activities taking place due to Covid restrictions. He went on to thank all the sport section secretaries for all their hard work and for the monies they raised for the charity. After promoting all the different sports available he hoped that many of those present at the lunch would be able to join in with some of the sporting events throughout the year and, in turn, help to raise much needed funds.
With his speech drawing to a close, Tony thanked the PICT Committee for their tireless work and, in particular, Anne James, who organised the lunch and for all her hard working during the year. Finally, he thanked Rod Benwell, who had been PICT’s President for the past two Covid affected years, adding: “During that time Rod has not had the opportunity to stand in front of you to make an address – I offered him a guest slot but oddly enough he declined.”
He finished by thanking everyone for supporting the lunch and hoped all would have a great time.
After much applause, Peter Bothwick came back to the stage to introduce the long-awaited after lunch entertainer – Paul Sinha.
Paul, who is well known for appearing on TV’s programme, The Chaser, informed the assembled audience that he was in fact a qualified doctor and then became a stand-up comedian, much to the ‘joy’ of his parents. He quipped that it had been a life-long dream of his to be at the “PRICT dinner” – oops – much laughter went round the room at this faux pas – and the afternoon continued in this hilarious vein. He talked about his involvement in the TV quiz show, stating that his Chaser name was the Sinnerman – and in fact the only Chaser not to be named after a sex toy!
Harping back to his career choice he said: “As you can imagine my mum and dad were absolutely thrilled when I gave up being a qualified GP to be a comedian – their only son had become a clown!”
Paul talked about his life and his illness (he has Parkinsons) peppered with humour and amusing remarks. He stated: “You should enjoy life as you never know what lies ahead” and he likened his Parkinsons to Man United – “you’ve got to stay happy when the Sheiks take over!”
After a great performance of anecdotes and humour, he finished by playing on his earlier faux pas and saying “PRICT you’ve been absolutely wonderful – have a great year with your new President – as the American’s said in 2016!”
After the clapping subsided, Peter Bothwick thanked Paul for his entertaining look at life. He then proceeded to auction the last few remaining items, which included a case of wine, a 3-course dinner at a renowned coastal Indian restaurant, two separate weeks in a villa in Turkey and a mill visit to Fedrigoni for four people with flights and transfers paid for. He then announced the winners of the table raffle, who all very kindly donated their winnings back to the charity.
Finally, summing up on behalf of PICT, he thanked everyone for coming along to support the Annual Lunch and for their generosity in all the monies raised during the afternoon, he then announced that the formal part of the day was over and that people could repair to the bar or a local hostelry to continue ‘networking’.
All in all, a great day – and so wonderful to be able to once again see everyone and have an enjoyable afternoon of good food, good company and good fun. And let’s hope that we can now all look forward to next year’s fundraising lunch.
Margaret Curle