The Plymouth Area Business Council (PABC) was delighted to be welcomed back once again to the Officers Mess at RM Stonehouse Barracks for our annual Autumn Dinner, courtesy of Mess President Colonel Simon Dean RM and our host for the evening, Lt Col Chris Armstrong.
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Supported by our Dinner Partners, Total Energy Solutions, it was a glittering occasion with lots of sparkles, highly animated conversations and inspirational speeches.
We were particularly honoured to welcome our special guests who included Rebecca Smith MP, Fred Thomas MP, Helen Wylde-Archibald, Chief Supt Matt Longman and Rt Rev James Grier, the Bishop of Plymouth, who said Grace.
Prior to being seated in the magnificent dining room, set with gleaming crystals and shining silver, guests were entertained by Mess Beatings, a top-class drumming and bugling display from a local RM Drums Corps.
Our Dinner President, Craig Moore, introduced the evening’s formalities with an update on the PABC’s social impact initiative, The Plymouth Way, and a heartfelt appeal for everyone to get involved and make a true difference in breaking down some of the intergenerational barriers and driving positive change within the city.
After dinner, Dr Sawsan Khuri SFHEA FRSA, spoke passionately about challenges we face as a business community and how we need to embrace and encourage the talents and enthusiasm of the younger generation if we are to surmount them.
Commodore Tristram Kirkwood OBE ADC gave us lots of food for thought in his keynote speech, as he described some of the national defence challenges he faces daily and how we, in Plymouth, are key to the future of our country’s security.
Before proposing the Loyal Toast, PABC Chair Richard Stevens MBE DC read out a poem he had written celebrating the work of PABC, which was both moving and humorous and received with a standing ovation by everyone present.
To complete the formalities our Dinner Partner, Ali Carnegie from Total Energy Solutions, presented the toast to our Armed Forces, and Lt Col Chris Armstrong responded with a toast to The City of Plymouth.
Special thanks go to Colour Sergeant Gary Chapman (aka Charlie) and his team at the barracks, who ensured the evening went without a hitch, that the food and drinks were plentiful and delicious and that everyone present was able to relax and have a marvellous evening.
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