A Very Apie Ending for the Rugby Lads :)

 

Our Race Night was a great success thanks to a whole host of people – those who supported us with their presence, who gave us discounted pies, who sponsored races and events and donated raffle prizes.  Thanks to them all we raised over £900 for our under 13 and under 14s rugby lads for well needed kit and essentials. 

This blog is giving a huge thanks to those lovely people and local businesses who helped us have a great night.  I use most of these businesses myself and can vouch for them (especially the restaurants and Jesse at Russell Eaton) so please have a poke around the links and give them some business. 

Aroma – the café ‘up the Frank Bird Arcade’ that transforms into a fab Tapas Eaterie on Friday and Saturday nights .  Watch out for their live music nights too – a real treat.  Check out their menus on site.  Smashing range of food and a real treat.

Bannatynes gym – who donated a spa voucher.  I’m a member!  Lovely gym and pool and the snack bar is to die for – though I’m sure that shouldn’t be my priority.  The Spa is wonderful .  Yummy massages!

Beatson House – oh my… one of my favourite eaterie places.  They do the best steak!  To my shame (and joy) my OH won one of the prizes they donated – a three course Sunday lunchl for two with wine.  I told him to take his mum but if he does, he’s dead.  They also supplied some of their gorge  Boozy Infusion – which would make a fab pressy if you can resist opening the bottle before you wrap it.  Available from Beatson House and also Rob RoydFarm Shop – best meat in Barnsley, lovely café (I have breakfast there a lot) and thanks to them also for the voucher they gave as a prize.

Billingley Christmas Tree Farm – official Christmas tree suppliers to our family, lovely people, lovely pet reindeer and a lovely place to visit.  Inspired my book Winter Flame – which I will be selling and signing at BCTF on Saturday 15^th December 12-2pm if anyone is looking for a last minute prezzie for a hard-to-buy-for auntie.

Brooklands at the ‘Holiday Inn’– another of my favourite eateries. Lovely central location for ‘do’s, I’m there more than I am at home!

Computer Problems of Barnsley – Rob has been a great friend of mine for years and once managed to find a whole book I’d lost AND HADN’T BACKED UP – and for that I am eternally grateful and he’s got my business for life.  Friendly service, fair prices, no quibbles.  What he doesn’t know about computers, you could write in big letters on a postage stamp

Debbie Viggiano – thanks to the lovely Debbie for sending me one of her books.  She is also available to be hired as a JK Rowling lookalike ;)

Diane Stoker –(facebook link) ‘Official’ dress maker.  Take her a picture of what you want and she makes it for you – gobsmackingly amazing.  AND getting a dress made isn’t as expensive as you might think.  And it saves me the soul-destroying trips around Meadowhall and ordeal by changing rooms.  Di is a marvel.

Gate Fisheries – ‘Rolands’ -  thanks for the fish and chip supper for two. 

Gems – thanks for being so generous with vouchers for hairdos and massages.  Based on Huddersfield Road they do some lovely packages as treats – even for Mums-to-be.  Lovely present having a massage to look forward to after the chaos of Christmas.

Gillian Stapleton – an old friend and a marvel.  Beautiful dress-maker and one of our Barnsley treasures that is buried away and should be taken out, polished and displayed.  Gillian is a costumer historian – master of a needle and very popular speaker.  Have a look at her website and see what she does.  And she also makes beautiful hand-made bridal gowns.

The very professional and affordable Gillott Builders - thank you.  No obligation quotes from people who want to do a good job for a fair price with no one ripping anyone off.  If only everyone were the same!

HotHouse - wonderful local toiletries (the treat sort), lovely people and makers of the fabulous self-tanning products St Moriz that is the only stuff I can put on without looking a right old streaky mess.  Romps over the pricier competitor at beauty award ceremonies :)

Karen Dyson – our deputy mayor, who took a detour to drop off raffle prizes on the night and always a fab supporter of local causes.

Keep Calm and Spray On (facebook link) – a great mobile service that does away with having to sneak home from a salon with flip flops and no bra on.  You can be TOWIE coloured in the comfort of your own home or have a lovely subtle tan for a wedding/event.  Pop-up booth, no mess.  Give her a call for Christmas!

Lucia’s (facebook link) sandwich and catering business is on Doncaster Road and offers a ring up and ‘get-me-sarny-ready-for-pick-up’ service which is great if you don’t want to hang around.  Lovely sandwiches and outside catering if you have a special event.  Have a look at their services and menus.

Miranda Dickinson – thanks lovely M for sending me a signed book.

Old Vintage Retro (facebook site) - for collectible antiques and some great hark-back to times past.  Some fab weird and wonderful 'diamonds in the rough' here :)

Russell Eaton – donated a cut and blow from my hairdresser Jesse – who is the best cutter and dyer I’ve EVER had.  I’ve sent lots of friends to him and every one thinks he’s a total find. 

Sha'Waddy's – the wonderfully well stocked fancy dress outlet on Sheffield Road, who helped me locate the moustaches for our Movember event.  Didn’t know it existed until recently, but well worth a look if you’re partying in costume.  Easy to get to and parking right outside.

Shaw Pub – thanks to Dave for hosting the event.  We were having trouble finding a venue that wouldn’t bleed us dry (yep and I do mean you ‘local sports club’ – shame on you!)  Dave stepped in, let us use the ovens for the grub, his TVs even his DJ for the sound system.  As a result we made a great profit for the town lads.

Top Run Motorcycle Training – if you are interested in learning how to ride a motorbike properly and safely from someone who is a very experienced biker and teacher – give Dave a call.  He donated a day’s course for some lucky bugger. 

Simon and Schuster – my lovely publishers donated a Jesse J signed book and a Sam Faiers signed book – plus lots of sports books which the men were all drooling over!

Unique Hair – thanks to Keely for donating her coiffeuring services.

Yummy Yorkshire – world centre for ice-cream.  Spent far too much money up there in their Ingbirchworth café.  My favourite is the Trifle ice-cream.  It’s in my top 50 flavours.

Thank you EVERYONE from Angie 'The Pies', Traz 'The Everything Else' , the young Rugby Lads and myself xxxxxx