News Archive

Meeting and Dinner, Friday 9 November 2007
The Crypt of St Etheldreda’s, London

The Association of Valuers of Licensed Property once again held its Winter Dinner on Friday, 9 November 2007 at the Crypt of St Etheldreda's in Ely Place, Holborn Circus, London.

During the afternoon members and guests were given an interesting presentation at Ely Place Chambers on 'Word on the Street' by Mr Andrew Pring, Editor of the Morning Advertiser newspaper.

The Chairman for the evening was Kingsley Hoddinott of Messrs James-Motion and 71 members and guests attended to support Mr Hoddinott's evening in the chair. The health of the Chairman was proposed by Mr Mike O'Connor of Greene King Plc and a toast to the guests was made by the Social Secretary Keith Gregory. David Pennell of Messrs David Pennell responded on behalf of the guests.

The entertainer for the evening was Mr Tony Jo who is a top quality cabaret and after dinner comedian. As well as being a producer and a director he has written material for many television classics as well as being part of the production team of Question of Sport. He has appeared regularly on the small screen, including Jim Davidson's Generation Game, Live at Her Majesty's, 3 Royal Variety performances and featured in 4 series of the Comedians. Tony spends much of his time raising money for charity and is the creator, producer and director of one of the biggest fund raising shows in the North of England, All Hands on Deck. Last year Tony directed and compered Theatre at War for the Grand and directed the inaugural performance for the National Theatre of Variety, a cavalcade of variety. Tony Jo is a perfectionist and always performs to the highest standards. On three occasions in recent years he has been awarded the prestigious After dinner Speaker of the Year Award.

Meeting and Dinner, Friday 2 March 2007
The Belfry, Wishaw, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands

The Association of Valuers of Licensed Property held its Spring Meeting and Dinner on Friday, 2nd March 2007 at the Belfry, Wishaw, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 9PR.

During the afternoon members and guests were given an interesting presentation on fire precautions by Mr Steve Cowell of SC Fire Limited of Cambridge.

The Chairman for the evening was Rodger Vickers, partner with Messrs Brownill Vickers & Platts and 74 members and guests attended to support Mr Vickers' evening in the chair.

Prior to the meeting and dinner a number of Association members and their guests took part in a golf competition on the Belfry golf course.

During dinner the health of the Chairman was proposed by fellow Brownill Vickers & Platts partner, Alistair Firth and a toast to the guests was made by member Mike Jones of Messrs Batemans. Lee Sidebottom responded on behalf of the guests.

A toast to the Vice Chairman, Mr Kingsley Hoddinott of Messrs James-Motion was made by the Association Social Secretary Keith Gregory.

The entertainer for the evening was Mr Norman Prince who has established himself as one of the funniest and entertaining speakers on the after dinner circuit. Norman is the former front man for the hugely popular 'Houghton Weavers'. He also has almost 20 years of live broadcasting on BBC radio stations, particularly in the North West.

Meeting and Dinner, Friday, 3 November 2006
The Crypt of St Etheldreda's London

The Association of Valuers of Licensed Property once again held its winter meeting and dinner on Friday 3 November 2006 at the Crypt of St Etheldreda's in Ely Place, Holborn Circus, London.

During the afternoon members and guests were given an interesting presentation at Ely Place Chambers on 'PR for the small business' by Mr James Cuthbertson, a Partner in the leading PR firm, Chartell Communications.

The Chairman for the evening was Martin Willis of Messrs Fleurets and approximately 90 members and guests attended to support Mr Willis' evening in the chair.

The health of the Chairman was proposed by fellow Fleurets Director John Nicholl and a toast to the guests was made by member John Spacey of Messrs Porters. Paul Hardwick also of Fleurets responded on behalf of the guests.

A toast to the Vice Chairman was made by the Association Social Secretary Keith Gregory and a response on behalf of the Vice Chairman Rodger Vickers was made in his absence by Chris Platts.

The entertainer for the evening was Mr Lea Roberts who is a superb after dinner entertainer, speaker and comedian. Lea Roberts, a welder by trade rose to national fame when he slaughtered the competition in ITV’s 'Stand Up Britain' comedy talent trail in 2002. Before then he had built up a strong reputation as one of the most up and coming after dinner speakers in the country. His broad Yorkshire accent and relax style makes him a hit with audiences.

The next Association dinner will be held at the Belfry, Wishaw, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B76 9PR on Friday 2 March 2007 when Rodger Vickers of Messrs Brownill Vickers & Platts will take the chair.

Meeting and Dinner, Friday 3 March 2006
Cottons Hotel and Spa, Knutsford, Cheshire

The Association of Valuers of Licensed Property held its spring meeting and dinner on Friday, 3rd March 2006 at the Cottons Hotel & Spa, Knutsford, Cheshire.

During the afternoon members and guests were given an interesting presentation on licensing by Jonathan Smith, a partner in the leading licensed property law firm, Messrs Poppleston Allen of Nottingham.

The Chairman for the evening was Mike Jones of Messrs Batemans of Stockport and 64 members and guests attended to support Mr Jones’ evening in the chair.

The health of the Chairman was proposed by John Jenkinson and a toast to the guests was made by the Association Social Secretary, Keith Gregory. David Mitchell, a personal friend of the Chairman responded on behalf of the guests.

After the dinner the members and guests were entertained by comedian Johnnie Casson who is a leading name on the function after dinner circuit as well as being a popular cabaret comedian. Since the 1980’s he has appeared regularly on TV including The New Comedians, Celebrity Squares, the Des O’Connor show and the Jim Davidson show.

Hon.Secretary, Bob Whittle proposed a toast to his co-Director Martin Willis, the Vice Chairman, and Mr Willis responded by reminding everyone present that the next Association dinner will be held in London at the Crypt of St Etheldreda’s (attached to the Bleeding Heart Restaurant in Ely Place, Holborn Circus, London EC1) on Friday, 3rd November 2006 when Mr Willis will preside as Chairman.

Photographs taken at the dinner (click for larger image)

Photograph shows the Association's immediate past President, Tony Cooper receiving an inscribed silver tankard from the President, Roger Thompson. Mr Cooper has been a member of the Association since 1967 and presided as the Chairman at the November 1972 dinner. As a long-standing officer of the Association he was President from November 1997 to November 2005 and was also the Hon. Secretary from March 1989 until November 1992.

Henry Stewart Conference Studies
January to April 2006

Training Courses for the Property Sector - This Word document gives information on, and dates of, the series of One-Day Training Courses for the Property Sector to be held between January 2006 and April 2006.

Training Courses Brochure - This PDF document gives further detail on the content of each course, and the course directors.

Meeting and Dinner, Friday 4 November 2005
The Crypt of St Etheldreda's, London

The Association of Valuers of Licensed Property held its winter meeting and dinner on Friday, 4th November 2005 at the Crypt of St Etheldreda's in Ely Place, Holborn Circus, London. The sense of history lies heavy in the Crypt with its foundations dating back to the 6th century. Its rough stone walls 8ft thick in some parts, and its heavy blackened beams date to the 12th century when Ely Place was constructed above the Crypt by the Bishops of Ely in Cambridgeshire as their London Bishopric. In 1531 Henry the VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon hosted a grand celebration in the Crypt which lasted for three full days and nights. At that time they feasted on swans stuffed with larks stuffed with sparrows!

Today, the Crypt is a superb function venue catered for by the Bleeding Heart Restaurant in Greville Street adjacent owned by Robert and Robyn Wilson. The members and guests were looked after splendidly by maitre d' Jean Louis Blanc.

During the afternoon members and guests were given an interesting presentation in the Bleeding Heart Cellar Room on the money laundering regulations by Mr David Hughes, a partner in the law firm Messrs Berwin Leighton Paisner of London.

The Chairman for the evening was Terry Nicholl of Messrs Howards of Norwich and approximately 110 members and guests attended to support Mr Nicholl's evening in the chair.

The health of the Chairman was proposed by Committee Member Keith Cross of the Cross Partnership Norwich and a toast to the guests was made by the Association's Social Secretary Keith Gregory. Mr Ian C Miller, Chairman of the Howard Group of Companies responded on behalf of the guests.

The guest speaker was criminal lawyer Stephen D Smith who is a regular on the after dinner circuit. Stephen has made numerous appearances on TV and radio as well as being a regular contributor to a number of television programmes. As a lawyer his clients have included Adam Faith, the boxer Prince Nazeem Hamed and the comedian Charlie Williams.

The next Association dinner will be held at Cottons Hotel, Manchester Road, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 0SU on Friday, 3rd March 2006 when Mike Jones of Messrs Batemans will take the chair.

Photographs taken at the dinner (click for larger image)

The Association of Valuers of Licensed Property held its Spring meeting and dinner a little earlier than usual this year on Friday, 25th February 2005 at the Aztec Hotel, Almondsbury, Bristol. The AVLP is an Association of surveyors and valuers who provide specialist property advice on hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs and other leisure facilities and it is the leading body of such specialist advice in the United Kingdom, founded 111 years ago.

During the afternoon members and guests were given an interesting presentation on the solicitor’s role in a licensed property transaction by Mr Peter Thornley of specialist licensed property law firm, Messrs Fraser Brown of Nottingham.

The Chairman for the evening was Barney Bettesworth of Messrs Bettesworths of Torquay and approximately 80 members and guests attended to support Mr Bettesworth’s evening in the chair.

The health of the Chairman was proposed by a personal friend, Mr Philip Parker and a toast to the guests was made by Mr Bruce Leigh of Bruce Leigh & Associates of Minsterworth, Gloucestershire.

The guest speaker was the former Bath & England Rugby Union star, David Trick. David was a winger for Bath for 12 years and scored 171 tries and was also a member of the England squad from 1980 to 1986 and he has also represented Barbarians and Irish Woolfhounds. “Tricky” gave the members and guests a light-hearted and hilarious insight into the world of sport and its many characters.

The next Association Dinner will be held in London at the Crypt of St Etheldreda’s (attached to the Bleeding Heart Restaurant in Ely Place, Holborn Circus, London EC1) on Friday, 4th November 2005 when Terry Nicholl of Messrs Howards of Norwich will take the chair.

The Association of Valuers of Licensed Property held its winter meeting and dinner on Friday 5 November 2004 at the Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, London.

During the afternoon members and guests were given an extremely interesting presentation on rent reviews by Association members Bill Graham and Paul Newby of Messrs Fleurets.

The Chairman for the evening was John Spacey of Messrs Porters and over 100 members and guests attended to support Mr Spacey’s evening in the chair.

Committee member Ken Newton of Inn Consultation proposed the health of the Chairman and fellow Committee member Roger Thomson of A W Gore & Co proposed the health of the guests. Frank Thorley, Managing Director of Thorley Taverns Ltd responded on behalf of the guests.

The guest speaker for the evening was Robert (Bob) Marshall-Andrews, QC, MP, the Labour MP for Medway. Bob has been described variously as “the thorn in Tony Blair’s red rose” and is “probably the best orator we have in the House”.

The next Association dinner will be held at the Aztec Hotel, Almondsbury, Bristol on Friday 25 February 2005 when Barney Bettesworth of Messrs Bettesworths will take the chair.