Tag Archives: PRTC

WEST HAM UNITED PLAYER AWARDS 2014/15 – A HAMMERS NIGHT TO REMEMBER

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West Ham Utd Player Awards Programme

West Ham Utd Player Awards Programme

Oh what a night…6th of May in 2015!  Our guests all had a fantastic time at the West Ham Player Awards dinner in the convivial surroundings of the London Hilton on Park Lane Hotel.  We were here to celebrate a good season’s work and see the players receive their awards. And there was lots of wonderful video footage to admire – I shall never tire of seeing Adrian rip his gloves off before converting his penalty to clinch an FA cup win against Everton!

The event was wonderfully hosted by Ben Shephard.  The auctioneer, Jonny Gould had our table in stitches as he managed to insult the auction bidders, cajoling them into parting with large amounts of cash.  I managed to make a successful bid for ‘Matchday announcer for the day’ at Upton Park – that should be great fun!

The PRTC table at the awards

The PRTC table at the awards

Cheikhou Kouyaté and Diafra Sakho were delightful guests on our table. They were both affable and friendly and we all had lots to talk about (some of it was done in French!).  Interesting to quiz Diafra on his strongest defensive opponents this year!!

We were proud sponsors of the ‘Best Individual Performance’ of the year – there were so many contenders who had put in ‘great shifts’ – but the winner was one of our ‘table guests’ Cheikhou for his all-round display against Manchester United which included a ‘wonderfully skilled’ goal.

Waiting to present Best Individual Performance Award to Cheikhou

Waiting to present Best Individual Performance Award to Cheikhou

Presenting Best Individual Performance Award to Cheikhou

Presenting the Award to Cheikhou

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The official West Ham Utd photo of me presenting the award to Cheiko

official photo at WHU Player Awards

Diafra Sakho inevitably won the “Top Goalscorer’ of the season award.

Diafra Sakho... top goalscorer

Diafra Sakho…top goalscorer in 2014/15

There were waves of sad emotion as the late Dylan Tombides award was presented to Reece Oxford by Dylan’s mum. He will always be remembered with affection.

Admiration swept the room as the legendary Martin Peters MBE came up to receive ‘The Lifetime Achievement Award’ to a standing ovation – what a shining role model of a footballer he is.  Loved his impromptu speech (as he had not planned to speak) – which ended with a great line “If you don’t support West Ham, then don’t come!”

Martin Peter's says a few words...

Martin Peter’s says a few words…

Ben Shephard  told us that the votes for The ‘Hammer Of The Year’ were extremely close this year…but the winner was Aaron Cresswell.  He has been consistently superb all season.

Aaron Cresswell coming up to receive his 'Hammer Of The Year' Award

Aaron Cresswell coming up to receive his ‘Hammer Of The Year’ Award

I shall cherish the memories of this evening forever..West Ham is a great family club! Thanks to everyone involved at the club for putting together a slick and entertaining event.
Here are some other random photos…

Proud sponsors....

Proud sponsors….

Amita with Cheikhou

Amita with Cheikhou

New signing for next season (Patricia!)

New signing for next season   (Patricia!)

Host Ben Shephard

Host Ben Shephard

Photo opportunity with the legendary Martin Peters

Photo with the legendary Martin  Peters

James Collins selfie

James Collins selfie

Ben Shephard surrounded by two beauties...

Ben Shephard surrounded by two beauties…


WEST HAM UNITED CHAIRMAN’S LOUNGE – WEST HAM UTD V ARSENAL – 28 DEC 2014

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We had a fantastic time as guests of West Ham Chairmen – David Gold and David Sullivan – for the tasty ‘West Ham v Arsenal’ fixture at Upton Park.

And what a game it was – I can do no better than ‘paste’ Sky’s Phil Thompson’s verdict here.

“For the neutral this was absolutely stunning, it was a magnificent game. It was a second game in three days, with both sides giving everything. I didn’t want the game to end, it was that good. Szczesny deserves great compliments because he has made a big decision that anything in the air he is going to come and get and control the air in the penalty area. He had to be precise.”

Perhaps the only thing I should add is that West Ham were very unfortunate not to pick up at least a point from this game, where they had a superb Alex Song goal disallowed for a very dubious ‘offside – interfering with play’ decision – no ‘offside’ Hammers player touched the ball!   Anyway, I was very proud of the lads fight back in the second half.

We loved talking to some of the celebrities in the lounge – as shown below:

Motty Selfie

–                    Motty Selfie

Great selfie with James Corden

–        Great selfie with James Corden

With Jack Whitehall (Gooner Supporter)

With Jack Whitehall (Gooner Supporter)

Thank you to David Gold for looking after us..

David, Peter & Patricia

David, Peter & Patricia

 

PRTC CHRISTMAS CABARET LUNCH AT RONNIE SCOTTS

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It is now becoming a firm tradition to invite our professional contacts and friends to our Ronnie Scotts Christmas Lunch.

Ronnie Scotts lay on a great feast of food and musical entertainment, including the Annual Kazoo Competition. Unfortunately, I am still yet to make the last three in the ‘Kazoo’ challenge final, but as I keep saying it is the participation that counts.

Ronnie Scott’s legend – Alex Garnett just gets better and better!

Here are some photos of our guests enjoying themselves…

We are having a good time...

    We are having a good time…

Patricia

                               Patricia

Karen and Chris

–           Karen and Chris

Anita, Mike, Tony and Bennie (behind)

–      Anita, Mike, Tony (front row)  –                              Karen, Chris and Bennie (second row)

Me - Kazoo Champion Wannabe

         Me – Kazoo Champion Wannabe

 

 

BLOOMSBURY PROFESSIONAL’S 10th ANNIVERSARY AND MY BOOK

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Congratulations to my publisher – Bloomsbury Professional – on reaching a landmark 10th birthday.  I love working with the team at Bloomsbury – so friendly and accessible – here’s to the next ten years.

And thanks for the lovely write-up on my book…click link below

10th Birthday – Our Products – full

P

MY INVITE TO THE WEST HAM UTD TEAM PHOTO SHOOT – 2014/15

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30 September 2014 finally arrived – and at last I would pick up my silent auction ‘prize’ from the West Ham Utd 2014 Players Awards dinner.

The prize – being included in a photo of the West Ham Utd 2014/15 squad – complete with fantastic new signings Alex Song, Diafra Sakho, and Cheikhou Kouyate.

Here are some memorable photos from the day…

Me with the West Ham squad (next to Big Sam)

Some selfies with some great players and Big Sam.

Photo of Selfie with Kevin Nolan!

Photo of my Selfie with captain Kevin Nolan!

Selfie with Big Sam

My great Selfie with Big Sam

Selfie with Winston Reid

Selfie with Winston Reid

 

Selfie with Alex Song

Selfie with the legend – Alex Song

And Patricia getting in on the photo action…

Patricia taking team photo....

Patricia taking a team photo….

Thanks to everyone at the club, especially Julie O’Leary

P

A PERFECT DAY – RADIO 2 IN THE PARK – Sunday 14 September 2014

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Jeff Lynne with ELO spaceship backdrop

Jeff Lynne with ELO spaceship backdrop

It really does not get much better than this. This year’s Radio 2 In The Park offered a fantastic line-up and certainty appealed to our guests’ musical leanings.

We were treated to a line-up that included legends such as Chrissie Hynde, Blondie, Billy Ocean, and Jeff Lynne’s ELO. And they all treated us to the very best of their musical catalogues.

My personal favourite was the new girl on the block – Kacey Musgraves – whose wonderful voice combines with a very refreshing and reflective style of country music and she certainly wowed the Hyde Park crowd (I can recommend her new album – Same Trailer Different Park).

Jeff Lynne topped the bill with over an hour’s worth of ELO’s hits, including Evil Woman, Telephone Line, Livin Thing, Turn To Stone, Showdown, and of course, Mr Blue Sky.  His various colourful ‘backdrops shone beautifully against the night sky.  His encore ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ sent everyone away with that special ‘feel good factor’ that comes from a such a memorable experience.  As one of our guests remarked, “We had a brilliant time – ELO were the icing on a very nice cake”.

Our lovely friends at AR Events gave us a great ‘viewing’ table, close to Radio 2’s presenters’ platforms and we did not waste the opportunity of ‘schmoozing’ with them.

Thank you to all at AR Events for a wonderful VIP experience and great food!

Selection of our photos for the day

David, Patricia, Peter & Joey

David, Patricia, Peter & Joey

The PRTC table

The PRTC table

A dodgy selfie with Ken Bruce

A dodgy selfie with Ken Bruce

Chris, Kim, Ru and Martin enjoying birds eye view of Blondie...

Chris, Kim, Ru and Martin enjoying birds eye view of Blondie…

The Hyde Park Crowd awaiting the next act

The Hyde Park Crowd awaiting the next act

Hello Sara Cox - can I have a photo?

Hello Sara Cox – can I have a photo?

Blondie bringing back the memories

Blondie bringing back the memories

The wonderful Kacey Musgraves

The wonderful Kacey Musgraves

Anneka Rice being briefed

Anneka Rice being briefed

 

My VIP pass and mini programme

My VIP pass and mini programme

 

PROMS IN THE PARK – Sat 13 September 2014

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Our traditional hospitality event – BBC Proms In The Park – was enjoyed by all our guests.  The weather was kind, and we were treated to some great musical treats, including Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF), Rufus Wainwright, and Richard & Adam. (Thank you to @EarthWindFire for retweeting my tweet!)

Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire

I personally loved The Dhol Foundation, with their diverse range of music featuring dhols, basses, drums, guitars, and dholaks (hand drums).  I was fascinated by them – one minute it was Bollywood, the next, Irish Dancing.

Once again, Sir Terry Wogan compared the Proms In The Park gig – 76 years old and still going strong.

Some of us entered into the satorial spirit of the Proms..

Patricia and Peter 'selfie'

Patricia and Peter ‘selfie’

Here is our ‘photo’ scrapbook for the evening…

Promenader Patricia

Promenader Patricia

PRTC guests at table

PRTC guests at table

Most of the party assembled

Most of the party assembled

Paul and Susi

Paul and Susi

View from the hospitality tent

View from the hospitality tent

Closing firework display

Closing fireworks display

Our itinerary for the evening

Our itinerary for the evening

Thanks to everyone, especially Charles and Andrew at AR Events, for a fantastic hospitality experience and the luxurious loos…

Peek inside the gents!!!

Peek inside the gents!!!

WEST HAM UTD V UC SAMPDORIA – A GRAND DAY OUT

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I was very lucky to have been awarded second place prize at the West Ham Utd Player Awards dinner in May (see previous post).  The prize was being guest of West Ham’s joint chairmen for the pre-season friendly vs UC Sampdoria (and I could also bring along my partner, Patricia and my brother Ian and his son – Michael (both lifelong Hammers fans).

As part of the Prize, I got to choose the man of the match and present the award.  I choose one of our most reliable players – Mark Noble – who was a pivotal part of our display.  Peter Rayney Tax Consulting Ltd was also featured on the screen as the Match Day sponsor.

We thoroughly appreciated the kind hospitality shown by everyone at the club, especially chairmen David Gold, David Sullivan, Jill Moore, Julie O’Leary, and Charley Harding, for making it a magical memorable day…

Here are some photos from our adventure…

Presenting Man of the Match award to Mark Noble

Presenting Man of the Match award to Mark Noble

Pitchside with David Gold and nephew Michael

Pitchside with David Gold and nephew Michael

Sitting in Big Sam's hot seat in the dug-out (with Patricia)

Sitting in Big Sam’s hot seat in the dug-out (with Patricia)

Cross arms 'Irons' pose with David Gold and David Sullivan (and Brother Ian)

Cross arms ‘Irons’ pose with David Gold and David Sullivan (and Brother Ian)

Brother Ian and son Michael with Mo Diame

Brother Ian and son Michael with Mo Diame

A GREAT NIGHT OUT AT THE TAXATION AWARDS – 22 MAY 2014

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The PRTC table had a great night out at the 2014 ‘TAXATION AWARDS’ which was held at The HIlton On Park Lane Hotel, London.

The enjoyment of the evening was enhanced by me picking up the ‘Tax Writer Of The Year’ award (see post below).  I was especially touched to receive this email (extract) afterwards from one of our guests:

“Thank you so much for inviting me and allowing me to share with you what was a wonderful evening.
To be honest, when they announced you as winner I felt an overwhelming gush of emotion and found myself dabbing my eyes!”

We were also proud to sponsor the after-show Jazz Lounge (featured in photos below) and the award for ‘Regional Tax Practice Of The Year’ (which was won by Lamont Pridmore).

As a table host, it was lovely to see all our guests getting on so well (with two even touching tongues – but I won’t go there!).

The food was great and, once again, we had some great entertainment.  The main celebrity host was Stephen Mangan (best known for his TV roles as Guy Secretan in Green Wing and Sean Lincoln in Episodes), pictured below:

Stephen Managan at Tax Awards 2014

We also had an hilarious ventriloquist act mid-away between the award ceremony.  This was the superb Nina Conti, who had us all in stitches, with her sinister monkey ‘Monk’.  Even funnier was when Nina asked a female member of the audience to try on a dummy-mask (who had no control of what was she was saying) – as shown below:

Nina Conti at Tax Awards

The after-show party provided various entertainments to suit all tastes.  We were proud to have supported Rachael Henshaw and her Jazz Band – see photo below:

Jazz Band at Tax Awards 2_2014

Rachael and her band played out many great jazz classics until 1.30am – and then it was time for bed…

Here are some other photos from a truly memorable night:

Joey & Patricia_Tax Awards 2014

Joey and Patricia

Pat, Frankie & Roy_Tax Awards 2014

Patricia, Frankie and Roy

Benny at Tax Awards_2014

Bennie

Table at Tax Awards_2014

The PRTC Table

Peter with Jazz Band_Tax Awards 2014

Peter and Jazz Band (singer – Rachael Henshaw)

Peter + Jazz Lounge_Tax Awards 2014

Proud sponsor of the Jazz Lounge

Me With 'Tax Writer Of The Year' Award

Me With ‘Tax Writer Of The Year’ Award

Patricia presenting the 'Regional Tax Practice' Of The Year Award

Patricia presenting the ‘Regional Tax Practice’ Of      The Year Award

Patricia & Peter all dressed-up

Patricia & Peter all dressed-up

Details of all the winners from the official TAXATION website are as follows:

Winners 2014
BIG FOUR TAX TEAM
Deloitte Global Employer Services Energy & Resources Tax Team
HIGH NET WORTH TEAM
Mazars London Private Client Team
IN-HOUSE TAX TEAM
British Sky Broadcasting Group
(Highly commended: TfL Tax Team)
INTERNATIONAL TAX TEAM
Deloitte Global Employer Services Energy & Resources Tax Team
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
John Avery Jones
TAX PERSONALITY
Margaret Hodge MP
RISING STAR
Ximena Montes Manzano, Atlas Tax Chambers
SINGLE OFFICE TAX PRACTICE
Goodman Jones
(Highly commended: Berg Kaprow Lewis)
TAX CHAMBERS
Temple Tax Chambers
(Highly commended: Atlas Tax Chambers)
TAX CONSULTANCY FIRM
Gabelle
TAX INVESTIGATIONS TEAM
Crowe Clark Whitehill
TAX PRACTICE IN A REGIONAL FIRM
Lamont Pridmore
TAX TEAM IN A LAW FIRM
PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal
TAX TEAM IN A NATIONAL FIRM
Grant Thornton Corporate & International Tax Team
TAX WRITER
Peter Rayney, Peter Rayney Tax Consulting
VAT TEAM
Francis Clark