RBL Poppy Ball 2016

[The OddMajor]

Dear members, following feedback from last year’s Poppy Ball a food tasting was held recently and a specialized menu has been produced for this year’s event under the supervision of the new head chef. In addition Tuxedo Junction has withdrawn from the Ball so the info below gives an update:
Friday 11 November – The Annual Poppy Ball will take place at the Savoy Ottoman Palace hotel in Girne with pre-dinner cocktails on the pool terrace from 6.30pm. This is the premier event of the year for the branch and all branch members and guests are encouraged to attend. Heeding last year’s feedback there is a totally revamped menu and following the withdrawal of Tuxedo Junction 2 first class acts have been booked; Gareth Severn, who is an extremely popular professional tribute act in both the north and south of the island. His energetic acts include tributes to Robbie Williams, Frank Sinatra and Ska. He also provides an 'Iconic' tribute show that covers classics from Sinatra to Queen, Dr Hook to Pink Floyd etc. Gareth will provide background music as guests take their seats, a gentle music set during dinner, and 50 minutes of his 'Iconic' act before the Ersen Sururi band takes over. They are a 5 piece brass/jazz group drawn from all over the TRNC with a lively singer in accompaniment who is guaranteed to get you on the dance floor. So get your glad rags on for this black tie event and book asp; £40 (or 160TL) for members and £45 (180TL) for non-members which includes a 3 course dinner and unlimited premium drinks. There are fantastic prizes to be won in the speedy auction and money box. Tickets are only available from the Saturday morning RBL stall or the 2 Bestseller Bookshops. For inquiries only phone Rachael on 0533 883 8166 or email: teamlyes@gmail.com

[The OddMajor]

The Ersen Sururi Band will be playing 60's, 70's & 80's music, not Jazz.

[Bridgett]

Have seen Gareth Severn in action..he's great! Will definitely be buying our tickets. Looking forward to it.

[Jonesy299]

Wow! The new entertainment and food menu looks great. We have booked our table and can't wait to support this event by having lots of fun as well as paying tribute to the armed forces and those who have fallen. It's always a fantastic cause and I hope lots more people support - only another day or two to get your tickets.... don't leave it late (details at the top of the post)

[Panchocat]

Can you share the menu with us Jonesy299 as we haven't seen it yet. Thanks.

[The OddMajor]

Here you go:

Cold Starters
Smoked Salmon Terrine
&
Chicken Liver Pâté
Served with Salad Garnish

Hot Starters
Sigara Börek
&
Lavaș Hellim

Main Course
Roast Chicken with Crispy Onions on a bed of Puree Potato,
Buttered Cauliflower, Broccoli and Glazed Carrots,
Traditional Roasted Cyprus Potatoes and Herby Gravy
-or-
Vegetarian Pancake with White Cream Sauce

Dessert
Barbaros Chocolate Surprise!

To Finish
Coffee, Brandy & Petit Fours

[Panchocat]

Thank you. Sounds lovely.

[Deniz1]

Ooh chicken what a surprise!

[Panchocat]

Deniz, Let's hope they serve a whole table at a time and not leave us waiting for the veggies again....................

[huggiesbob]

Starter sounds nice but.....the terrine was like rubber,
Pate had no flavour

Chicken...expected nicer chicken from hotel than leg with bones,and there were no potatoes on our table like menu States,it was just a sloppy runny mess of what they call potato under the chicken.

People danced to The Tobbie Williams tribute,but the Band,well not saying they were not good but,.....it was notbthente pe of venue for them to play in ,....and after a while,people left,first year I have been when we are all wanting to get home and not stay to dance....Why they were not wrapped round ,to play first, then everyone would danced and stayed longer.......with food not as nice,and entertainment not that good as well,we won't be bothering next year .

[Panchocat]

Have to agree with a lot of huggiesbob's comment.
The act of Remembrance was moving and emotional.
However the rest of the evening was not as successful as the summer ball.
I asked where the potatoes were and was told we could have chips!
Thought the salmon terrine was ok but I hate pate so the big wedge of it on the same plate was a turn off for me. The chicken tasted nice, I thought, and I prefer the leg and thigh to the dry breast in mushroom sauce that is often the mass catering option at these events.
The nuts in the pudding was also a risky choice as people can be allergic to them. But apart from that a pretty delightful pudding.
Our waiter was superb though all evening.
We also left early as the live band was much too loud for the room. Definitely agree that the first act should have been on second.
As to attending next year we will wait and see.
Hope the committee take on board the feedback as speaking to others who attended they were of the same opinion.

[jeanbrads]

Have to agree with the above comments about the Poppy Ball. I have been to quite a few events and was disappointed. The RBL do fantastic work and Im sure a lot of planning went into the event. The food was not to be expected from a 5* hotel, and to be given a sachet of coffee and sachet of milk very poor. Whilst I will continue to support the RBL, not sure if I would go to another event if the food and entertainment is of the same quality,

[The OddMajor]

Thank you for the feedback in the comments above and they will certainly be taken into consideration when we hold a debriefing on the event in the near future.
An event like this takes a lot of working parts to come together at the right time and on this occasion it was clear that this was not the case regarding the food and entertainment.
As Roosevelt once said "You can please some people, etc...."
I sincerely hope that this one off event does not prevent you from supporting the work of our branch as we have a good committee that works tirelessly as volunteers in supporting our membership and a very worthy charity.

Brian Thomas
Chairman

[Jonesy299]

Well said Brian.

As one of the volunteers who helps put on events etc I know how much hard work goes into the preparation and execution of these events (from starting months ahead in advertising and making sure tickets are available to the final day slog putting up decorations etc to make it look nice for the guests). I also know that the team this year did their best to 'ring the changes' by trying a modified menu plan and introducing two new acts - the trial did not work for everybody and this can be corrected next time (they would have been equally vilified if it was the same menu and the same acts etc - you can't win sometimes).

I think the feedback and comments were valid - but let's not threaten never to attend any future RBL events again... I'm pretty sure there will be a much better balance next time..

Let's get behind these volunteers and give these events a fighting chance - we don't take on all this work for fun... we do it to try and add some nice events to the TRNC social diary and help good causes.

[Panchocat]

Agree with a lot of your points Paul. We appreciate the work everyone puts in.
The poppy ball, I don't think, was as well advertised as the summer ball.
As to ringing the changes with new acts wasn't that rather forced at nearly the last minute when Tuxedo Junction pulled out?
The menu changes as I stated were nice, just not salmon and chicken liver pate on the same plate! Traditional roast potatoes? Chips offered after the meal?
As for nuts we'll always risky, I myself can't eat them, but again they could be picked out.
Personally our table said they would have preferred a standard raffle. I don't think anyone bid in the silent auction on our table but they would have bought raffle tickets.....
I think people were offering constructive criticism and advice and not denegrating the committee or its work.
Certainly that second act would work at the summer ball, outside, but not in the Savoy ballroom!
I said we would wait and see but it won't stop us supporting the fantastic work of the Kyrenia branch of the RBL.

[Jonesy299]

Hi Panchocat

Thank you for saying that - as before, I agree with practically everything that has been said (it was just one of those things) and can assure you it makes us work even harder to get these events right. Hopefully we will see you at RBL future events - how about this for advertising in advance.... the RBL Summer Gala will be Friday 9th June at The Savoy (Poolside). Note it in your diary, tell your pals and see you there!!!

[Panchocat]

Definitely!

[Deniz1]

Ooh another new dress!!!

[Panchocat]

Ooh Deniz!