Puhoi Women’s Dinners: An Introduction

Our annual Puhoi Women’s Dinners started in 2009 as a means of
having fun with friends from our local community in a relaxed setting with no pressures on participants to cook, ‘bring a plate’ or drive long distances.

They were made possible by our publican Gillian Seymour’s opening up of the character-filled hotel dining room to bookings by selected groups for catered dinners, sometimes cooked by Gillian herself.

As well as a chance for old friends to gather, we are always thrilled to be able to welcome, too, newcomers to Puhoi, or when our local regulars bring a friend from another area, or maybe a younger relative or a visitor from overseas.

The first dinner for this year, 2015, is on Thursday, July 23.

The programme starts with a gathering in the hotel bar from 6pm -7pm, giving time for guests, some of whom come directly from work, to relax with a drink bought from the bar, and nibbles or starters, which are included in the price of the evening.

At 7pm we go into the dining room for a buffet or set meal, usually comprising a first and main course plus dessert followed by tea or coffee.

Our local coffee roaster, Daphne Hollamby, kindly gifts the coffee.

A vegetarian option is always available on the menu – just let the kitchen know in advance.

Generally, we have a speaker, by popular choice one of our own members, who entertains us for around 15 minutes before coffee, as well as a little raffle.

Suggestions for an interesting speaker are welcome.

Men can come if they agree to wear a skirt –so far no-one has taken up
this invitation! (although last year I believe one came without a skirt!)

The cost of the whole evening, excluding drinks, which you buy from the bar, presently stands at $30, and we ask for payment in advance to confirm your commitment to attending.

There are 40 seats and we take you on a first come, first accepted, basis, after which we place you on a waiting list.

The first thing to do is book your place, by emailing me, Judith Williams: bohemia1863@gmail.com as several have already done – don’t rely on my memory if you tell me on the shop step or in the street!

Generally, near the date, I send out a list of all those who have given me their names so you can check if there are still places free.

About 10 days before the dinner I will give you instructions as to how and whom to pay. Don’t try to pay me yet.

Looking forward to having you there,
with kindest regards,
Judith Williams
Puhoi
July 2015