Bongos Bingo
I am really pleased to say that everyone came out of the place relatively unscathed, certainly no really serious injuries or losses to report. The initial look of anticipation mixed with fear of the unknown slowly slipped away as the drinks were slowly (ish) consumed and everyone relaxed. There is a rumour circulating that there may be some pictures in the next newsletter, smashing all convention of, “what goes on tour….” but wait and see….
Anyway most of us went away with a prize in our pockets, unfortunately is was just Coco-Pops. Lots of them. Everywhere! Oh and a space hopper was won by Nicola Broderick…..
The feedback has been really positive and we may look at doing it once a year, if you fancy it? Thanks for everyone who came and especially to Sarah Cooper who helped me get the tickets and Sarah sorted the minibus too. Never have 43 tickets proved so popular!
HFMA Quiz
The pressure is building and Finance colleagues across the region are frantically reading the latest “HFMA” and “Public Finance Magazines” and digging out old textbooks to freshen up on the differences between your SOFP’s, to your SFI’s , with the likes of your MTFS and TRF’s
Nope, it isn’t like that at all!! It’s a general knowledge quiz, a few drinks and some food. Even as a Procurement colleague (I briefly pretended to be an accountant) they made me feel welcome, well until I got one question wrong and to be honest I’ve been hounded about it since. Apart from that minor harassment it’s a nice evening out 🙂
Anyway we have the following coming along, come and join us, don’t be shy, and especially if you are useless at quizzes – it will take the spotlight off me for the year:
Katie Riley
Nik Khashu
Gareth Lawrence
Sarah Robinson
Sarah Cooper
Cat Youds
Nicola Wood
Chris McNamara
Laura Harris
Kofi Madden, (Assistant Accountant – Graduate Management Training Scheme)
Deb Harman (New Assistant Director of Finance -Financial Services)
It’s at the Old Bank bar near James St station. It’s on Thursday 10th October, it starts around 6:30pm start and finishes around 9:30pm. If you fancy it drop me an email chris.mcnamara@sthk.nhs.uk or katie.riley@Sthk.nhs.uk or sarah.robinson@sthk.nhs.uk
Shiverpool
Another event, this time a little bit unusual and is for those that like a ghost story or urban myth. Shiverpool have opened a special booking for us to use on 18th October. Starting at 7pm at The Philharmonic Pub, Hope Street.
It’s your last chance to join us for a great night!!
• Listen to the most famous ghost story in Liverpool
• Visit two of Liverpool’s awe-inspiring Cathedrals
• Walk down the most haunted street in Northern England
• End your Journey in St James’ Gardens, the city’s former necropolis, where nearly 58,000 souls are buried.
Go to the following link to book on:
https://www.shiverpool.co.uk/hope-street-shivers-tour/
Please email Jessica.Crolla@sthk.nhs.uk when you have booked or if you have any questions about it!
Harrogate Christmas Market – Day Excursion
It’s early October so some of you will already be excited for Christmas. I am not. To be clear I am not a total and proper misery, I just can’t be excited until I’ve done all my Christmas shopping, which is normally completed on Amazon around the 21st December.
That said I love Christmas markets, even in October and luckily Cath Hewson is willing to organise a trip to the lovely spa town of Harrogate to visit their Christmas Market! It will actually be a lovely day out as Harrogate is ace. Ask if anyone in your family/friends fancy it and make it a day out with someone from home and/or someone from work.
It is taking place in the heart of the spa town, which has around 140 stalls & 2 Marquees alongside the town centre shops and the lovely Christmas lights. See I am trying and being positive now!! There’s probably a grotto and those stalls that sell a nice Bailey’s hot chocolate. I bet there is a shop too that do those Yorkshire Pudding wrap meals- worth the trip alone.
The proposed date is Sunday 17th November 2019 and it will cost £18. If you want more details pop in to see Cath or drop her an email on Catherine.Hewson@sthk.nhs.uk
There is a bit more detail here: https://www.harrogatechristmasmarket.org/
Christmas Party- Blundells Hill
This is booked and 40 deposits paid for a night of food, drink, dodgy dancing and singing the only Slade song you know.
The final payment needs to be made by the end of the month, so one more pay day left before you pay the balance. In the Procurement team we are putting money aside so you don’t have to pay remaining £34.50 all at once. Menus will be confirmed at the end of the month. Don’t forget it is a free bar up until midnight. So cancel the 14th December.
Unfortunately 3 people who are booked on and have paid their deposit can no longer make it, so if you fancy it let me know and you can have their place. The full price is £54.50
It is a Blundells Hill Golf course, Rainhill on the 13th December 2019.
And Finally….
• There’s a walking thing happening- like a virtual race. You pledge to walk/run/swim/cycle as many miles as you think you can during the month of October. It’s a personal target so no need for people to share their targets if they don’t want to we can just celebrate at the end of the month if people meet them!
https://www.raceatyourpace.co.uk
It costs £10 and you get a medal at the end if you meet your target.
• There’s a wellbeing table in Management accounts office – we are trying to kick this off, Sarah Robinson has put some colouring pages and colouring pencils in there.
There’s also a jigsaw in for people to add to when they are waiting for printing or need 5 minutes away from their desk. Also Sarah is thinking of starting a little library if people would be interested – a bit of a take a book leave a book/book swap policy. It’s just about making little steps to look after yourself and state of mind.
STHK Finance Social Blog 