Half-a-dozen brave souls returned to Hastings on Monday afternoon after cycling to Boulogne and back to raise funds for the Hastings Sierra Leone Friendship Link.
The group were welcomed back from their 200 kilometre plus trek by a band of supporters and sponsors including Councillor Jeremy Birch.
The six cyclists - Roger Mitchell, Steve Frost, Bill Evans, Mike Cooper, Einar Einarsson and Jansen van Rensburg - were waved off on their challenge on Saturday morning from Hastings Pier by the Mayor Councillor Maureen Charlesworth and members of the Hastings-Sierra Leone Friendship Link. From there the group made their way to Dover and across the channel for a 2 night stay in Calais. Sunday saw them cycling to the port of Boulogne and back – a journey of around 50 miles – in blazing sunshine.
The Pedal for Sierra Leone was arranged by Diligence sister company Nice Work. Money raised from the event will help funding for the Community Resource Building in Hastings Village in Sierra Leone.
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Where will you take your customers in 2008?
Looking for somewhere suitable to take your staff, your colleagues or your customers?
One of our favourite events is Glorious Goodwood - one of the highlights of the social summer scene. Indeed, King Edward VII once described Glorious Goodwood as ‘a garden party with racing tacked on’.
The meeting not only offers the very best in top-class racing - ‘Glorious Goodwood’ is a real English summer institution, where racing, socialising and fashion go hand in hand.
Goodwood is reckoned to be one of the world’s most beautiful racecourses. Set high on the South Downs with the most beautiful of views, it really is the perfect place to enjoy summer’s day. The Thursday of the Goodwood Festival is traditionally ‘Ladies’ Day’ and the feature race of the day, the Goodwood Cup, is Goodwood’s oldest race.
Our sister company, Nice Work, has been organising trips to Goodwood for some years now and are now taking reservations for a Glorious Goodwood VIP Package.
For more information, contact martin@diligencegroup.co.uk
One of our favourite events is Glorious Goodwood - one of the highlights of the social summer scene. Indeed, King Edward VII once described Glorious Goodwood as ‘a garden party with racing tacked on’.
The meeting not only offers the very best in top-class racing - ‘Glorious Goodwood’ is a real English summer institution, where racing, socialising and fashion go hand in hand.
Goodwood is reckoned to be one of the world’s most beautiful racecourses. Set high on the South Downs with the most beautiful of views, it really is the perfect place to enjoy summer’s day. The Thursday of the Goodwood Festival is traditionally ‘Ladies’ Day’ and the feature race of the day, the Goodwood Cup, is Goodwood’s oldest race.
Our sister company, Nice Work, has been organising trips to Goodwood for some years now and are now taking reservations for a Glorious Goodwood VIP Package.
For more information, contact martin@diligencegroup.co.uk
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Turf's Up!!
There's something particularly English about a Day at the Races.
Goodwood, Epsom, Aintree and Newmarket are all iconic English Sporting Venues providing a memorable opportunity to entertain staff, clients and colleagues. But, there's more to a day at the races than the top meetings held at the leading venues. There are some highly cost-effective events to be had by entertaining at some of the country's smaller racecourses such as Lin
gfield, Plumpton and Lingfield Park.
gfield, Plumpton and Lingfield Park.We regularly take groups - from 12 upwards - to racecourses throughout the country. We cater for top of the range meetings such as Cheltenham, The Derby and Glorious Goodwood; summer evening meetings at both Goodwood and Folkestone; as well as regular weekday and weekend meetings at most other courses.
Our favourite is Goodwood - particularly on Ladies Day. Widely regarded as the world's most beautiful racecourse, Goodwood is set high on the South Downs - the perfect place to enjoy horseracing and socialising at its very best.
Now's the time to start planning your summer event - so why not consider a day at the races? All our trips are catered for individually with a bespoke itinerary and package which includes:
Travel to and from the racecourse
Breakfast or pre-departure refreshments or optional meal stops
Optional packed lunch
Optional breakfast stop
Admission to the racecourse
Admission to the racecourse
Post race picnic or barbecue
Welcome aboard pack
The services of guides throughout the trip
Welcome aboard pack
The services of guides throughout the trip
Why not contact us for your next Day at the Races?
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
Strolling .... just strolling!
Details have been announced of the next overseas sponsored walk for local charities in Deal and Hastings.The Stroll for St Michaels and Martha – is a three day overseas sponsored walk which raises funds for St Michaels Hospice and Martha Trust.
Boulogne to Le Touquet is the 5th sponsored walk overseas for St Michaels Hospice and 2008 will be the third time that funds have also been raised for Martha Trust. This year the walk takes in some stunning countryside as it wends its way along the coastal footpath between Boulogne and Le Touquet.
The walk will cover some beautiful French countryside and pass many places of historic interest en route. There are also a number of refreshment stops along the route and the overnight base will provide ample opportunities to sample the local cuisine.
The event is perfect for people of all ages and families are welcome to participate. The route is primarily flat and with a longest day mileage of around 15 miles, only a basic minimum level of fitness would be required.
If you can raise the minimum amount in sponsorship, places on the Stroll is fully funded. This is now a really popular event and as well as being a great weekend away, it’s a superb opportunity to demonstrate support for both St Michaels Hospice and Martha Trust in a healthy and fun way.
The Stroll takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend with a coach departure from Hastings and Dover on Saturday morning – returning to the towns on Monday evening.
In addition to the coach, back-up vehicles will also carry basic first aid facilities and refreshments will be available at regular stops along the way. All meals, accommodation and refreshments for the duration of the walk are provided.
For more information, contact The Event Manager today.
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
From Calais to Boulogne - on foot!
Looking for a teambuilding event with a difference?
How about a three day walk between the two French ports of Calais and Boulogne?
The towns of Calais and Boulogne are around 25 or so miles apart by road - but a comfortable but more interesting walk of two to two and a half days separates them. They are linked together by a coastal footpath which provides for a breathtaking walk with views over the surrounding countryside and, of course, across the English Channel. In addition to walking, we can build into the programme a wide range of teambuilding tasks - with plenty of opportunities for themeing as the route passes many places of historic interest.
We also build in a number of refreshment stops along the way and the two overnight stops also provide ample opportunities to sample the local cuisine and to enetertain or educate. The event is perfect for people of all ages and although we would describe the route as undulating, with a longest day mileage of around 15 miles, only a basic minimum level of fitness would be required.
Our Calais to Boulogne teambuilding events includes:
Transport to and from France
Accommodation, meals plus drinks and refreshments en route
Back- up transport throughout the duration of the event
Celebratory lunch in Boulogne
The services of a back-up crew and guides
A daily goody bag plus a commemorative tee shirt
The Calais to Boulogne route has always been our most popular overseas events and those who join us can expect some stunning scenery, some good company and a great social experience.
For more information, on using walking as a teambuilding event, contact us today.
How about a three day walk between the two French ports of Calais and Boulogne?
The towns of Calais and Boulogne are around 25 or so miles apart by road - but a comfortable but more interesting walk of two to two and a half days separates them. They are linked together by a coastal footpath which provides for a breathtaking walk with views over the surrounding countryside and, of course, across the English Channel. In addition to walking, we can build into the programme a wide range of teambuilding tasks - with plenty of opportunities for themeing as the route passes many places of historic interest.
We also build in a number of refreshment stops along the way and the two overnight stops also provide ample opportunities to sample the local cuisine and to enetertain or educate. The event is perfect for people of all ages and although we would describe the route as undulating, with a longest day mileage of around 15 miles, only a basic minimum level of fitness would be required.
Our Calais to Boulogne teambuilding events includes:
Transport to and from France
Accommodation, meals plus drinks and refreshments en route
Back- up transport throughout the duration of the event
Celebratory lunch in Boulogne
The services of a back-up crew and guides
A daily goody bag plus a commemorative tee shirt
The Calais to Boulogne route has always been our most popular overseas events and those who join us can expect some stunning scenery, some good company and a great social experience.
For more information, on using walking as a teambuilding event, contact us today.
Friday, 11 January 2008
All set to Pedal to Dieppe
Details have been announced of a three day sponsored cycle ride to the French port of Dieppe to raise funds for the Hastings Sierra Leone Friendship Link.
The Pedal for Sierra Leone will cover some beautiful countryside on both sides of the Channel and take in many places of historic interest en route. There are also a number of refreshment stops along the route making the event suitable for cyclists of all abilities. The overnight base in Dieppe will also provide ample opportunities to sample the local cuisine.
The event is perfect for people of all ages and families are welcome to participate. The route allows for relatively easy cycling, with most of the route in France using a purpose-built cycle roadway.
If you can raise the minimum amount in sponsorship, your place on the Pedal is fully funded.
Organiser Martin Burke from event managers Nice Work, a Diligence sister company, says “This should prove a really popular event and as well as being a great weekend away, is a superb opportunity to demonstrate support for the Hastings Sierra Leone Friendship Link.”
The Pedal for Sierra Leone takes place over the second May Bank Holiday weekend with a departure from Hastings Pier on Saturday May 24th – returning to the town by the Monday evening.
Back-up vehicles will carry basic first aid and cycle repair resources and refreshments will be available at regular stops along the way. Your ferry crossing, all meals, accommodation and refreshments for the duration of the cycle are provided.
For more information, contact organisers Nice Work on 01797 230730; email info@nice-work.org.uk or visit http://www.nice-work.org.uk/
The Pedal for Sierra Leone will cover some beautiful countryside on both sides of the Channel and take in many places of historic interest en route. There are also a number of refreshment stops along the route making the event suitable for cyclists of all abilities. The overnight base in Dieppe will also provide ample opportunities to sample the local cuisine.
The event is perfect for people of all ages and families are welcome to participate. The route allows for relatively easy cycling, with most of the route in France using a purpose-built cycle roadway.
If you can raise the minimum amount in sponsorship, your place on the Pedal is fully funded.
Organiser Martin Burke from event managers Nice Work, a Diligence sister company, says “This should prove a really popular event and as well as being a great weekend away, is a superb opportunity to demonstrate support for the Hastings Sierra Leone Friendship Link.”
The Pedal for Sierra Leone takes place over the second May Bank Holiday weekend with a departure from Hastings Pier on Saturday May 24th – returning to the town by the Monday evening.
Back-up vehicles will carry basic first aid and cycle repair resources and refreshments will be available at regular stops along the way. Your ferry crossing, all meals, accommodation and refreshments for the duration of the cycle are provided.
For more information, contact organisers Nice Work on 01797 230730; email info@nice-work.org.uk or visit http://www.nice-work.org.uk/
Monday, 7 January 2008
What's your era?
We organise entertianment at many events and in our experience, deciding the musical input is often made easier by getting some agreement on musical tastes by era. So, a good old fashioned Rock 'n' Roll band playing 1950's covers usually apeals to most tastes - although, naturally, the more mature will find it more to their liking. One of the best 50's rockabilly band around, Lucky Strike are on our recommended list as are The Drifters - still drifting after more than 50 years!
Similarly there are some great bands from the 1960s still touring and playing to the coporate market. Bands such as The Merseybeats and The Searchers, after some 40 years on the road know just how to put a great show on - and, of course, the music is considered by some to be timeless!
Moving on to the 70's and its an opportunity for Glam Rock and Glitter to make an appearance - the choice of original artists isn't as great as it could be, but, once again, if you're to pick an original artist rather than tribute, you're pretty certain to get highly polished entertainment. We've used bands such as The Rubettes - and they certainly know how to put on a show! Remember those white caps? Well they're still around.
Then its on to the 80's, a much-maligned era but one that is now providing some great acts for the corporate market - there are enough Bee Gees, Elton John, Eagles and Bon Jovi tribute acts to fill a Convention Hall and bands such as Go West and Haircut 100 are now available again.
The problem era though is the 1990's - with a paucity of both original artists and good tribute bands available. That said, tributes such as Fake That and Noasis are still good enough to provide great post conference entertainmnet.
If you'd like to know more about choosing the right entertainment for your event, why not get in touch with us?
Racing for fundraising
Over some twenty years in the event business, we have helped numerous charities, good causes and community groups to raise some substantial funds through some imaginative events.
One of our specialities is organising road running events. We currently manage some eight different road racing events - covering distances from 5K through to half marathon.
Road running is a specialist area of event management and organisers really need to be experienced to maximise the benefits both to particpants as well to the beneficiaries. In addition to an established marketing programme to attract particpants, including a substantial database of runners, we have experienced marshals and officials to help ensure the event runs smoothly as well as the neccessary timing and results software.
Our next event is the Lydd Half Marathon which takes place on March 9th 2008. The race was once one of the most popular road running events in the Kent, regularly attracting large numbers of runners from all over the world, until the race ceased in the mid 1990's. It is being held in conjunction with Lydd Town Council and will be looking to raise funds for the Mayor of Lydd's designated local charities and good causes.
If you'd like to discuss staging a road running race to raise funds for your charity or organsiation, then get in touch with us and we'll see if we can help.
One of our specialities is organising road running events. We currently manage some eight different road racing events - covering distances from 5K through to half marathon.
Road running is a specialist area of event management and organisers really need to be experienced to maximise the benefits both to particpants as well to the beneficiaries. In addition to an established marketing programme to attract particpants, including a substantial database of runners, we have experienced marshals and officials to help ensure the event runs smoothly as well as the neccessary timing and results software.
Our next event is the Lydd Half Marathon which takes place on March 9th 2008. The race was once one of the most popular road running events in the Kent, regularly attracting large numbers of runners from all over the world, until the race ceased in the mid 1990's. It is being held in conjunction with Lydd Town Council and will be looking to raise funds for the Mayor of Lydd's designated local charities and good causes.
If you'd like to discuss staging a road running race to raise funds for your charity or organsiation, then get in touch with us and we'll see if we can help.
Thursday, 3 January 2008
Where will you take your company in 2008?
After more than 20 years of managing and organising events both in the UK and overseas, our Events team has built up a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise that’s second to none.
We work closely with all our clients providing a high level of personal service to ensure that your event goes exactly to plan. We believe that sound preparation and strong management are preferable to luck, a wing and a prayer!Over the last 20 or so years, we've worked in most major European locations and we can advise on a wide range of activities to interst or excite your customers or staff. In addition to getting you and your guests to the venue, we can arrange a comprehensive social programme around your meeting - to include teambuilding, sporting and social events such as golf, maybe a theatre trip, fine dining and hospitality.
Our marketing background means we are able to offer a meeting planning service which can include assistance with your presentations as well as hosting and facilitating services. Plus we can help with putting together all the communications required to ensure that everybody arrives on time and in the right place!
(Above: Tromso in the Arctic Circle - one of our 2008 destinations)
If you're thinking of some interesting destinations for your company this year, why not take a look at some of our 2008 ideas?
Sales incentive programmes
Meeting in Bruges
Minimum numbers 12
This year we will be working on events throughout the UK and in locations throughout Europe – from the Arctic Circle to Southern Ireland! We are experienced at presenting and arranging sales, staff and management conferences and we also manage and organise customer and staff incentive and hospitality programmes.
We work closely with all our clients providing a high level of personal service to ensure that your event goes exactly to plan. We believe that sound preparation and strong management are preferable to luck, a wing and a prayer!Over the last 20 or so years, we've worked in most major European locations and we can advise on a wide range of activities to interst or excite your customers or staff. In addition to getting you and your guests to the venue, we can arrange a comprehensive social programme around your meeting - to include teambuilding, sporting and social events such as golf, maybe a theatre trip, fine dining and hospitality.
Our marketing background means we are able to offer a meeting planning service which can include assistance with your presentations as well as hosting and facilitating services. Plus we can help with putting together all the communications required to ensure that everybody arrives on time and in the right place!
(Above: Tromso in the Arctic Circle - one of our 2008 destinations)If you're thinking of some interesting destinations for your company this year, why not take a look at some of our 2008 ideas?
Sales incentive programmes
Incentives are a speciality of ours and, in addition to destination and location management, we provide a comprehensive marketing and communications service to participants as well as the delivery of all the awards. Recent promotions that we've managed on behalf of clients include those providing a top prize of a weekend in Europe plus a host of Experience Days including Clay Pigeon Shooting, Driving a Ferrari and Wine Tasting! Each of the Experience Days is also personally managed by ourselves to ensure that our client’s interests are best served.
This year we are organising group travel to locations in the UK, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Italy and Ireland – that’s so far! Northern Europe offers superb value for money at the moment and a meeting in Bruges, Le Touquet or Brussels can often work out cheaper than some local venues. And don't be put off by numbers - we have taken groups as small as four for sales, management and partner conferences and meetings.
Meeting in Bruges
We are frequent visitors to Bruges and our clients always thoroughly enjoy their stay in the 'Venice of the north'. Bruges offers some great value meeting facilities and there are a number of high quality hotels that are ideal for meetings and sales conferences of all sizes. With a journey time of just over the hour from Calais by road it's a very 'do-able' short visit destination. Flights to Ostend airport also leave you with a quick transfer time to the city centre.
A two day/one night meeting in Bruges is available on a budget as little as £150 per person, including transport to Bruges, meeting facilities and overnight accommodation. Out of hours socialising is great in Bruges with some superb restaurants, bars and, of course, delightful shopping!
If Bruges appeals why not consider combining a staff, management or client trip to coincide with the Christmas Markets? It might seem a long way off - but there's no substitute for long-term planning!!
Minimum numbers 4
Meeting and fine dining in Northern France
One of our favourite locations in France is Montreuil-sur-Mer and we've been taking groups for both business and social purposes to this lovely walled town for many years now.
Montreuil is situated an hour from the channel ports and whilst it can be reached with ease for a one day trip, overnight is better! The town has a fabulous reputation for its restaurants and its proximity to Le Touquet makes it an ideal destination for those who wish to combine business with a spot of golfing.
Minimum numbers 12
A Day at the Races
There’s not a lot to beat a day at the races! Goodwood, Folkestone, Epsom, Plumpton – and other courses are available for midweek or weekend trips. Our minimum numbers are low with party sizes of just 15 available. A Day at the Races not only offers the very best in top-class racing, but will be one of the highlights of your organisation’s social calendar.
We will arrange transport and your day can start with breakfast, lunch or supper so that we arrive in good time for the first race. We’ll arrange tickets including access to your preferred viewing areas, including the Parade Ring and Winners Enclosure.
Your Day at the Races package includes:
Luxury coach transport to and from your chosen location
Welcome aboard pack – including free goodies
Admission to the racecourse
The services of guides throughout the trip
Optional meals en route or picnic
At the end of the meeting, we will return you safely home – or you can continue the entertainment with post race dinner or entertainment. Each of our Day at the Races events is a bespoke service – designed to suit the needs of you and your guests.
Some other great ideas to think about
We also have some great itineraries for Ireland, Holland, Iceland and Germany - and we can also put together some exciting programmes in some great value city destinations overseas such as Prague, Warsaw, Krakow and Lisbon.
Why not contact us for a chat about the location of your next customer or staff incentive event?
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