A Wonka New Year
29th December—2nd January 2025
Trinity Park—Suffolk Show Ground
Never attended this teams New Year event?
If you have ever organised an event for a club you know just how much work goes into making it happen. So imagine an average club weekend then quadruple, quintuple or sextuple it. Somewhere within those figures you will arrive at the 120+ units and 240+ people that attended this event.
It adds a whole new meaning to putting the kettle/urn on for tea or coffee for the attendees!
The organisation that goes into to planning such an event is huge. The work required by the back room office team for just handling bookings, dietary requirements and catering supplies must be immense. This is not to mention the list of jobs ‘to do’ ranging from liaising with the venue to booking entertainment. I am not sure a summary of the effort required would ever do justice to their input and work. It is best just thanking them so much for their hard work.
Before I write about the activities I must comment on the venue. Covering 100 hectares with two large exhibition halls it is a modern, clean and tidy venue. Parking available on hard standing or the very firm grass areas allowing for large numbers of vehicles to attend. The added bonus of the availability electric hook up for all units makes this an idea venue for just such an event as New Year. Located just over the Orwell Bridge A14 it is well connected to the East of our country and for those that like shopping, there are a plethora of major retailers within half a mile of the site.
Programme
With an ongoing theme of Wonka, the hall was decorated accordingly. Candy Canes, Giant Lollypops and Sweet inflatables filled every corner. This was really colourful and set the tone for many days we were there.
Strangely there was a waterbed in the corner, it was fun and many people used it for a photo shoot, unusual but well received!
From the time we arrived there was something going on, the large hall was open throughout with people dropping in and out for a natter.
Here are just some of the day time activities that kept us amused. Children's Crafts, Professional Magic show, CPR awareness presentation, Film shows, Organised Ramble, Quizzes and a Breakfast. Tea, Coffee, Cake…. and more.
The evenings provided us with top class ‘Cabaret Showtime’ including Now That’s ABBA, DJ Buzby and the 3 piece band of ‘Under the Covers’.
A two course meal was provided on two evenings which was well presented hot and tasty! The deserts were plentiful and very well received.
1970’s fancy dress for the ABBA evening was optional, and wow how the attendees did not disappoint. Big hair do’s, brightly coloured jump suits and those Elvis type sunglasses made for an interesting mix. Abba were great with many people dancing to their well known songs.
New Years Eve, DJ Buzby had the dance floor filled all night. Up tempo dance songs just kept coming and our members are not shy when it comes to dancing.
Wonka fancy dress filled the hall as people joined in the fun. Some amazing costumes that put smiles on many peoples faces.
The dancing went on late into the night as 2025 was welcomed in.
New Years day you would expect to relax but no! It still had activities with O’leary and the Meadows magic show during the afternoon to name just one.
Under the Covers took to the stage with their guitars and drums and played us an intro music quiz. We noticed just how difficult it must have been as a musicians to just play an into to a song and then stop. They must have want to just let rip and play the whole thing. Anyway, once the quiz was finished the band got to ’let rip’ and played us out into the evening.
The whole event from when we arrived to when we departed was amazing.
Well done to the team and the host of volunteers that helped make this event so special.
Booking is now open for a Medieval New Year and to welcome in 2026.
Never attended this teams New Year event?.... You should do... it’s a blast.