Wednesday evening saw me showered, shaved and wearing my bestest suit, all in readiness for the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Annual Awards Ceremony.
My employer, Access Auditors Ltd., would be receiving the Retained Employer Award – Bronze. This is to recognise that they have demonstrated excellent support to the Retained Duty System for over five years. And I was going to be collecting the award as, in true Hollywood style, our directors couldn't make it to the ceremony.
But fate and the roads of Ipswich meant that me and half of Green Watch nearly didn't make it.
I knew that Green Watch would be at the ceremony to receive a trophy and so I dropped into Lowestoft South with the idea of following them down to Ipswich.
Watta a mistaka to make!
The fail-safe, dodge all the traffic shortcut across rural Suffolk saved 10 minutes but added 15 in the process. And, with the clock ticking as on Countdown, I followed my leader along some roads that were just for buses, retraced our route on a number of occasions and, with the clock striking 7 I struck out on my own. Carter's in-built homing device kicked in and I soon found myself outside Endeavour House, marvelling at the number of people that were at this shindig.
Finally re-united with Green Watch and their partners before finding our places in the Atrium ready for the ceremony to start.
And for someone who has been known to have a jaded view of things, the whole evening was well run and was a great way for members of staff, the public and employers to get a pat on the back.
A tap on the shoulder indicated that it was time for me to stand as the citation for Access Auditors was read out. Then it was a brisk walk to the dais, shake hands with the Chief, a pic for the album and then back to my seat.
Green Watch picked up the Miles Hammond Trophy, presented for demonstrating excellence by an individual team during an incident. This was in recognition of the outstanding work the guys did at an RTC in Lowestoft back in February. Well done guys – it couldn't have gone to a nicer bunch (they did pay me to say that! 50p and a Pot Noodle…).
A group photo of all the award winners was taken after the ceremony and then everyone headed over to the buffet. And that's where I left the building. Even though I was starving I needed to get back to Lowestoft as the present Mrs. C was stranded until I got back. So with the rumbling of an empty stomach I left the glitz and glamour of Endeavour House and headed for home.
Thanks SFRS, I enjoyed the evening and the company are pretty chuffed too…