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

The list is almost endless! How many women are conditioned to think ‘purse, lip gloss, digital camera’ as they check their handbag before going out? Well, I certainly am! I remember arriving at the funeral of a relative of a very good friend, and as I was walking into the wake was automatically rummaging around in my bag – yes you guessed it – for the camera!! 

Thankfully no-one saw me, but I very nearly whipped the camera out to take pictures (the friend did find it hysterical when I told her by the way!).

This blog is an opportunity to include some bits and pieces that I don’t have space for on the page and to include extra pictures from events that I cant fit in!   So please continue to send me your invitations and pictures, check the page and check the blog – as occasionally I will be inviting blog readers down to events! 

What a busy week it has been in the wonderful world of PR. I seem to have spent most of  my time in Est Est Est.    Last week started with a ‘Ladies Evening’ at Est Est Est, Albert Dock, where Cricket showcased a fabulous collection of  ‘must have’ bags and sunglasses (I defy most women not to be salivating at the mere thought!), and UberSassy showcased some of their fabulous products.  Really enjoyed the evening as a number of my friends came down to support my event – helped by the fact that it was my good friend Debi Jones’s birthday – so the event proved to be a great way to get all our ladies together to wish Debi well.    www.estestest.co.uk

A gathering of cool ladies at Est Est Est

Cricket showcasing some ‘must have’ items

Herbert of Liverpool,  held what he described (as only he can)  as a ‘Compulsory Annual General Meeting’ for staff – where he presented his own version of ‘Birthday Honours’ to two members of staff.  I discussed it with him and said that I would let the papers know he was doing it as it could be a nice piece.  

Spoke to papers and said that H was presenting his own OBE’s to staff – and £1,000 worth of holiday vouchers each!  Papers like it.   Frantic message left on voicemail (“Carolyn, had journalist on regarding the piece in the paper and I cant remember what you told me OBE stood for”…. Called him back “H it stands for ONLY the BEST in EXCELLENCE”…  Job done!!  

I wonder if I might be eligible for one next year (I look after his PR, but I am technically not staff!!).   www.herebertofliverpool.co.uk

Martin, Herbert and Stephen (all Herbert of Liverpool) or should I say Martin and Stephen OBE’s

Sunday, was invited (yes back to Est, I think I have now eaten the entire menu in one week) by Doug and Glen (Owner operators of the fantastic Puschka Restaurant) to celebrate Glen’s birthday (I think he will kill me if I say which one). 

Drinks at Puschka first www.puschka.co.uk  –  then dinner at Est with a lovely selection of D&G’s friends (Doug and Glen, not the designers!).  

The table was lively anyway (well with drinks served from 4pm at Puschka – what would you expect) but when the band came on – Dominic Halpin and the Honey Bees – the foot tapping and hand clapping turned into an Olympic sport on our table!

Glen and Doug (Puschka)

Chris and Jill Lee (Microzine) At Glen's birthday dinner

Anyone for cricket – well I can't claim to be the biggest fan, but since Freddie Flintoff turned up at No.10 clearly the worse for wear and then decided to do night-time trips in a pedalo abroad I have take a liking to the sport. 

How fantastic that the sun FINALLY made an appearance in time for one of the great English traditions that is cricket. 

Lancashire and Sussex were battling it out this week – although it all looked very chilled and laid back to me, those with much greater knowledge than I of the game did get quite excited on the table next to me. 

Somewhere in the region of 2,500 people were there on Wednesday afternoon to watch the county match, which I thought was a good number especially as it was midweek. 

A couple of glasses of wine later…. Ok a bottle later – I decided that my ‘must have’ item of the day was a signed Freddie Flintoff bat…. DON’T ASK!   Well  I am now the proud (or somewhat bemused) owner of such item… and it will always remind me of one of the few hot sunny days at the cricket club during the worst summer since records began.

Fans pack out the cricket ground

Freddie Flintoff was the star turn - he is wearing number 11.

Lancashire and England player S.I Mahmood takes time to sign autographs for youngsters.

The relocation to new offices on the top floor at 20 Chapel Street is, they say, integral to the firm’s ongoing commitment to Liverpool and its desire to become the fastest growing “big four” firm in Liverpool.

Previously, it occupied premises in Silkhouse Court on Tithebarn Street.

The move follows a growth in staff numbers and the office space reflects the importance placed by the firm on providing a top quality business environment.

Barry Flynn, senior partner, Ernst & Young; Barry Owen, chairman, Mason Owen, Richard King,
Ernst & Young’s UK and Ireland managing partner at the new office launch in Liverpool

Jan Gregory (Senior partner, Ernst & Young), Tony Caldeira, (MD Caldeira Limited), Andrew Atkinson (Corporate Manager, Handelsbanken) at Ernst & Young's relocation

Neil O’Brien (group finance director, Speedy Hire), Catherine Fairhurst (partner, Ernst & Young), Glyn Dale-Jones, (partner, Hill Dickinson) and Richard Paton (partner, Hill Dickinson)

At July’s Liverpool Chamber construction and development lunch which took place at the Liner Hotel (how appropriate) an audience of 120 Chamber members and guests were treated to an inspirational presentation from the recently-appointed manager of the City of Liverpool Cruise Terminal. Angie Redhead, who was born in Liverpool returned from Ibiza, where she was commercial manager for Thomson Holidays, to take up her new post.

During her presentation she covered everything from the construction of the terminal to the recruitment of volunteers to welcome tourists and the impact on the local economy to the toilets for departing passengers.

Chamber CEO Jack Stopforth and Angie Redhead of the new cruise terminal at the
construction and development lunch

The plush surroundings of the Malmaison Hotel, in Liverpool, played host to MSIF's Small Firms Fund annual summer drinks reception for clients and mentors. Over 100 guests enjoyed stunning views of the Mersey waterfront in some rare summer sunshine. MSIF's £20m Small Firms Fund provides loans from £3,000 to £150,000 to businesses based in or prepared to relocate to Merseyside.

Chris Walters (MSIF) Tony Harford and John McDonough (Impact Safety Glass) at the Malmaison for MSIF's annual summer drinks

Left: Mal McKenzie (T34 Design) with Steven Brash (Printing.Com) at MSIF's annual summer drinks. Right: Adam McKay (McKays) and Angela White (MSIF) at MSIF's summer drinks reception.