Howdee Partner!

Coronation Street's Tupele Dorgu proves to be the sharpest shooter at the event, with Tim Bacon, MD Living Ventures

I have been to some stunning parties over the years but the Living Ventures (owner operators of Est Est Est and Blackhouse Grills) ones have to rank as ‘ones not to be missed’.  This year was no exception with a Sunday night spectacular ‘Wild West’ themed Ho-Down in a converted barn in leafy Cheshire. 

As with ALL their parties, fancy dress was compulsory.  I am not normally a fancy dress fan, but the LV parties are legendary for everyone making an effort – so to be honest you feel even more stupid if you don’t go the whole hog.  www.livingventures.com

My good friend (Stylist to the Stars) Lorraine McCulloch (left) came along, and as you would expect from any self respecting stylist, her costume was customised to perfection, with hand sprayed gold feathers in her head band, she looked fantastic – whereas I, on the other hand, just looked ridiculous. 

Some poor guy on the M6 nearly crashed his car when he caught sight of us on our way there.  But it was all about FUN and I don’t remember having quite so much fun for some time.

Karine Bacon (wife of Tim Bacon, MD of Living Ventures, both pictured right) did an amazing job theming the party.  It really was spectacular in the extreme with a fully customised ‘saloon’ style bar  with our drinks served in wild west tin cups, the barn looked stunning and our seats and tables were hay bails. 

Food was amazing, with Chilli, beans and all the things you would expect and the entertainment was a selection of great bands who did amazing ‘country style’ sets.  The line dancing proved to be a big hit – my favourite was Tony Griffin, from Est Est Est Albert Dock, who came as an Indian Chief, but his head-dress had a life of its own during the line dancing (he kept hitting Woody from Toy Story in the face with it).

I was a bit sorry that we did not make an effort to enter a cake for the cake baking competition (£200 prize for the winner), but I did laugh when one poor guy told me his wife had made an amazing cake to enter (spent all day Saturday on it!)  – but his rather aggressive sharp right turn somewhere near the field resulted in the cake going all over the dashboard – It would have won hands down had it been an Eton Mess competition.

Sue Crimes (Living Ventures), Lee Lynch (the Living room) and Lorraine McCulloch (celebrity stylist)

Our beds for the night were genuine Indian Tipi’s with log fires and candles inside (apparently they are the coolest tents to be seen in in Glastonbury)–  Lorraine McCulloch did make me laugh – she was in charge of getting our sleeping bags for the night and turned up with Rolls Royce sleeping bags with built in blow up beds – and a foot pump -  Clearly all those years going to watch husband Ian (McCulloch – Echo and the Bunnymen) at festivals have rubbed off, as Lorraine had it all sorted.  Although I am sure in those days she stayed in the nice hotels and not the tents around the campfire.

The Saloon bar

Highlight of the evening was Lorraine making a trip to the portaloo – having polished off a considerable amount of Tequila -  and half asleep a couple of minutes later  I heard a voice from the field (yes Lorraine’s) saying – amongst the giggles – “Oh sorry, wrong Tipi, I live next door”.   Apologies to whoever it was whose Tipi Lorraine visited during the night.

Left: Lee Lynch proves to be the meanest man in town

Right: Liz and Dave Hinds

Things start to get serious

The line-dancing teacher gets them going

The line dancing became quite competitive