Stanley House Hotel welcomed broadcast legend and former TV AM host, Anne Diamond as the celebrity guest for its final Ladies who Lunch event of 2011.
Anne joined 200 Lancashire Ladies who Lunch at the hotel, where guests heard first hand about her exciting career in journalism, including her role in last week’s Leveson enquiry, appearances on Channel Five’s The Wright Stuff and phone-in show for BBC Radio Berkshire.
The sell-out event saw guests dine on a festive two-course menu devised by executive head chef Steve Williams. A main course of butter roasted breast of turkey with all the trimmings was followed by a Christmas mess dessert, coffee and treats.
Anne’s appearance follows hot on the heels of former MP and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Edwina Currie, and TV chef and ‘Ladette to Lady’ mentor, Rosemary Shrager, who hosted the previous lunches respectively. The event was held in aid of local children’s charity, Miles of Smiles.
Guests had the opportunity to browse stalls from some of Lancashire’s finest independent retailers including luxury home accessories from Love Your Interior, and fashion from Precious at Whalley, who will be displaying goods across the hotel’s hospitality suites.
Anne Diamond said: “It was a real pleasure to meet Lancashire’s ‘Ladies who Lunch’ and to visit the beautiful Stanley House Hotel. As well as helping to raise funds for Miles of Smiles and meeting the guests, I was able to purchase a few last minute Christmas treats from the fantastic selection of stalls.”
Kate Snape, from Bolton, picked up the top prize in the charity raffle, winning two first class train tickets to any Virgin destination. Lancashire MC, Howard Wing added some festive fun to the programme singing Michael Buble inspired Christmas songs, continuing the party into the evening at Mr Fred’s.
Stanley House’s sales and marketing manager, Wendy Hope, said: “Anne Diamond was the perfect host to round up what has been a very successful year for our Ladies who Lunch events. Anne’s presence helped us to boost our total raised for Miles of Smiles to £4,000, with many guests commenting on how personable and engaging she was.
“2012 promises to bring another stellar line-up of celebrity hosts to Stanley House, with signer and fellow Lancashire-lass, Linda Nolan taking to the helm for a March 15 Ladies who Lunch.”
