GREMLINS, TECHNOLOGY and WORM
I would like to publicly apologise for the huge amount of inconvenience caused by our last attempt at e-mailing the WSJ. Apparently it was so successful that large numbers of you received hundreds of copies of the journal in a format the size of a football pitch!
However, this bad start was to get even worse – we employed some heavyweight technical expertise and software – cleaned our system and felt reassured enough to send out an apology. Massive mistake! Same story but worse – some of the less lucky of you received over 200 copies of my apology.
We have sought even more qualified advice since and this morning received, finally, an explanation of the cause of all this technical mayhem. I am afraid the explanation was well beyond my level of understanding, but basically it had absolutely nothing to do with our maligned computers in the office and was something to do with a missing patch in Outlook Express on one of the recipients servers.
Anyway I remain to be convinced that it is safe for us to send out copies of the journal and whilst and until it is proved to be safe we are asking clients to download and print copies of the journal from our website www.the-walls.co.uk.
We had taken great care to try and do this supposedly-simple task correctly but we were well and truly mortified to discover the level of disruption we had caused.
So once again thank you for your patience and our most massive apologies if you were inconvenienced at all.
HIGH PRAISE INDEED
For the second year in succession we have succeeded in gaining a listing in the Michelin guide. This most fiercely independent of guides is, without question, the most unimpeachable guide with a serious pedigree. We are thrilled to be included and I would like to thank all our current and past staff for contributing to this plaudit.
Whilst we are on the subject of awards we are also vicariously excited about recognition achieved by one of key wine suppliers, David Walker. His range of Camille Saves Champagnes has been singled out for praise by famed wine guru, Jancis Robinson. She thought, as we do, that Camille Saves drinks well ahead of its price point and represents much better value than some of the better known Champagnes. Well done David!
THANK YOUs
Two very special thank you's are in order, firstly to the afore mentioned Mr. Andy Leake for organising and hosting a most extraordinary showcase recently at The Walls. Those of you privileged enough to attend will have witnessed a truly magical evening and I can hardly wait for the next one. Thank you Andy and all his performers Fantastic!
I would also like to thank Joan Carlyle and all of you who generously supported our recent Tsunami Appeal evening. It was a great success and raised a substantial sum of money to ease the suffering of people in their desperate plight. Thank you, very much.
JOAN CARLYLE
Buoyed by the success of this Tsunami concert, Joan is hosting a further night of light classic opera at The Walls on June the 11th. This is not a night exclusively for purists and highbrow intellectuals. Joan and her band of magnificently talented singers perform songs from the shows, light opera and just some great songs. Show starts after a two-course dinner and tickets are £25.00.
SADNESS
It is with deep sadness that we have to note the passing of one of our very greatest supporters and customers, Mrs. Barbara Smith.
Following a series of strokes, Barbara recently passed away our deepest sympathy goes to her family and friends she is sadly missed.
LIBBY GLIKSMAN IN CONCERT
Not often in one's lifetime do you encounter a truly precocious talent that you just know will stand the test of time. So far Libby Gliksman, who has performed at The Walls on 3 or 4 occasions, has always brought the house down, touched the souls of all who hear her and a whole host of other tired and over rated clichés, on this occasion are truly justified.
This is not hyperbole; she is a truly remarkable singer. Not only is her range, phrasing and feel for a song impeccable, she tackles some of the all-time most difficult songs and pulls them off with ease.
There is no need to bolster her credentials or quality than by reference to “isn't it amazing” and “do you know she's from Oswestry”. It wouldn't matter where she was from. Libby has a great voice. Come and see her in her inaugural concert evening, as usual accompanied by the “ever ready”, allegedly, Mr. Andy Leake who is not only her pianist but musical mentor.
Libby will be ably supported by not only Andy but a small number of other talented musicians/singers.
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EATS AND BEATS
Avant Garde and Oswestry do not usually appear in the same sentence, however since the beginning of 2004 we have been lucky enough to host a succession of these “chill out nights”.
I'm far too old to have even the faintest idea what this means, but they have steadily grown in popularity and now are almost always over-subscribed. In essence they are an evening of good food, convivial atmosphere, interesting, contemplative and intellectual music played by a knowledgeable DJ and backed up by a projection show.
Our next “Eats and Beats” is on Friday 22nd April and tickets are £18.50 to include a two-course buffer and a drink on arrival. Early booking is advised.
GRAND CANYON CHARITY BIKE RIDE
LAS VEGAS COMES TO OSWESTRY
Years ago when I was but a shadow of my current self I was thankfully persuaded in a moment of unguarded weakness to sign up to cycle over 300 miles alongside the Nile in aid of MENCAP the charity for people with mental disabilities. The persuader was my long suffering and very supportive significant other, mother of my children, Kate.
Revenge is sweet, I have succeeded in persuading Kate to take part in this years bike ride which covers a similar distance over 6 days along the Grand Canyon, starting in Las Vegas.
To let me loose on writing a piece on anything to do with bikes and canyons, large or small whilst being in conjunction with one's other half is so dangerous that I'm seriously deciding that discretion is way ahead of valour and that not a whiff of innuendo will appear anywhere in this missive!
Kate is to be accompanied by her old school chum, our next door neighbour and good friend Lizzy Johnston. So, where is all this going and what does it have to do with you?
On Friday May 13th we offer you the chance to support by coming to the first casino night at The Walls.
Following an American themed two-course dinner, we are hosting, in conjunction with Vegas Leisure, a fun, fundraising night of casino games. There will be roulette, blackjack and dice tables, fantastic prizes and too much fun to mention.
Novice gamblers, high rollers and low rollers alike, are all welcome to join in, in this most harmless and worthwhile introduction to the murky world of gambling. All proceeds from the tables go directly to the “Calamity Kate and Lizzie Oakley”. These two brave girls need all the help and support we can muster to ensure that their endeavour is successful.
Tickets for the evening are a ridiculously reasonable £22.50.
To add to the atmosphere of decadence, authenticity and insanity the dress code is full spectrum Americana, so everything from tuxes and tiaras, cowboy and Indian or just badly fitting Hawaiian shirts and trainers will be perfectly acceptable. Shrinking violets in everyday civvies also supremely welcome!
Music will be provided by our very own Mr. Honky Tonk, Fats Dominoes don't fall down, Mr. Andy Leake.
MORE OF A LITTLE BIT OF CHAOS
Gone are the days of “Never mind the quality what about the volume!”
Such is the pedigree of this pre-eminent local band that since their recent re-invention they have “blown away” a whole new generation of listeners who now appreciate their skilful renditions of a wide range of rock classics.
LB of C return to The Walls for their next outing on Friday 29th of April. Two-courses followed by dancing and seriously controlled volume mean you'll be able to dance and talk away the evening. Booking essential.
Tickets £22.50.
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