Bristol's property fraternity packed out the Wessex Suite in the city's Thistle hotel last night for the annual BPAA dinner. Numbers were up by a 100 on last year and whether it was the relief of getting over 2009 or the flowing wine, there was certainly a lively atmosphere.
Out-going BPAA president Chris Haworth of Alder King had the honour of choosing the after dinner speaker and although there were a few groans from land-lovers when they heard it was yachstman Pete Goss MBE, he turned out to be an able raconteur, captivating the audience with tales of near death experiences on the open seas and head-butting former French president Jacques Chirac.
And while the prospect of an accompanying slide show would have the most patient people running for the bar, the 450 guests couldn't take their eyes off the screens, but then you don't expect to see images of gashed elbows and broken legs among the ones of boats fighting impossibly huge waves.
At least it meant there was a good excuse for looking a bit green about the gills at the end of the night.
Chris then handed over the chains of office to new president Andrew Batchelor of Hartnell Taylor Cook. Andrew has been known to run the odd marathon so perhaps the speaker next year will be someone with their feet firmly on the ground.
Look out for a report in next Saturday's EG.
Photos by Martin Chainey.
Out-going BPAA president Chris Haworth of Alder King had the honour of choosing the after dinner speaker and although there were a few groans from land-lovers when they heard it was yachstman Pete Goss MBE, he turned out to be an able raconteur, captivating the audience with tales of near death experiences on the open seas and head-butting former French president Jacques Chirac.
And while the prospect of an accompanying slide show would have the most patient people running for the bar, the 450 guests couldn't take their eyes off the screens, but then you don't expect to see images of gashed elbows and broken legs among the ones of boats fighting impossibly huge waves.
At least it meant there was a good excuse for looking a bit green about the gills at the end of the night.
Chris then handed over the chains of office to new president Andrew Batchelor of Hartnell Taylor Cook. Andrew has been known to run the odd marathon so perhaps the speaker next year will be someone with their feet firmly on the ground.
Look out for a report in next Saturday's EG.
Photos by Martin Chainey.
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