CHRISTMAS AT QUOD - 2005

It’s fair to say that we at SPA like to party, so we couldn’t wait for Christmas!

A sense of expectation had been hanging in the air since the Christmas tree was erected in reception – tastefully decorated, of course, by our stylish Office Management Team (the rest of us were far too busy scoffing advent calendar chocolates).

As the night of the party drew near, presents began to appear under the tree. Using our finest qualitative techniques, we had probed our lucky Secret Santa recipients to find out what they wanted, before buying the naffest items we could find for under 7 quid.

The night of the party arrived. A glass of wine in one hand and a mince pie in the other, we gathered round the Chairman – Santa for the night – to receive our gifts. There was even a miraculous appearance of Jesus himself, complete with roller-skates and movable arms.

Our carriages were waiting at the door to transport us to the venue for the evening, and so to Quod we went. Dinner was a regal three-course affair, interrupted at various points on a certain table by a Director trying to start a food fight. Cameras had been placed on each table to capture images of the carnage, only a few of us managed a decent job at looking sober.

After dinner, time for the annual SPA Fix…I mean awards, including a stunning success for field winning floor of the year. The accounts team won department of the year, and Roberto stood tall among his peers winning ‘Employee of the Year’. Nothing for the Food and Drink Team, but we’re above all that

By 11pm, voices were raised as the drinking got heavier. The lightweights among us opted for a sensible taxi home, ready to be bright eyed and bushy-tailed the next morning. Others duly carried on until the small hours – and paid for it. Praise for those foresighted enough to book a day’s holiday.

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