Dinner at Boisdale

Last night I hosted a small dinner party at Boisdale. The purpose was to form an "organising committee" that will help promote one or more events to mark Forest's 30th anniversary. It was an eclectic group and only one person - from an initial list of 14 - declined our invitation.

Guests included Eamonn Butler and Madsen Pirie from the Adam Smith Institute, Simon Hills of The Times and Donal Blaney, chief executive of the Young Britons Foundation. Also present: bloggers Paul Staines (Guido Fawkes), Phil Hendren (Dizzy Thinks) and Chris Mounsey (Devil's Kitchen).

Chairing the often lively discussion was Boisdale MD Ranald Macdonald, and special guest was broadcaster and journalist James Walton, editor of The Faber Book of Smoking, with whom I had a long and enjoyable chat.

We made full use of Boisdale's cigar terrace and the food and wine were, as ever, excellent. Ranald and I retired shortly after midnight and if I feel a little fragile today I've only myself to blame.

Update on Friday, March 13, 2009 by Simon Clark

"Thanks for that magnificent dinner and evening!" (Madsen Pirie)

Comments

[Dave Atherton]

I sure you soldiered through a difficult evening. Who was the person to decline, Derek Draper of LabourList?

[Simon Clark]

"I sure you soldiered"? Have you been drinking, Dave?

[Dave Atherton]

I suppose my comments are normally relatively serious, my attempts at satire should be left to my Friday lunchtime drink.

Oops!