 On Monday 28 February the Tandoori Parlour in Thundersley was packed to the rafters with Eastern culinary fans from across south Essex.
Team members from the numerous Bar’N’Bus nights in Thurrock, Basildon, Rayleigh and South Woodham Ferrers paid £12 each for an all-you-can-eat buffet. The price included a gift to the Bar’N’Bus Trust. Transformation Thurrock asked Bar’N’Bus Operations Manager Stuart Christian about the fundraising evening. TT: How many people came to the BNB Fundraising Curry Night? SC: 184
SC: At least someone from every team present but the Thurrock teams had the most representatives. Well done Thurrock Teams! TT: How much money did you raise on the night? SC: £1599.37 TT: What will the money be used for? SC: The money will go to Bus Team running costs. TT: How do you think the curry night went?
TT: Has the new Thurrock bus been painted yet? If not, when, and by whom? SC: No the bus has not yet been painted. Hopefully by middle of June, we need to wait until weather is warmer and I have found a dry indoor place for it to be done. The bus will be painted by two guys Scott & Darren. I have asked the users to come up with any designs. TT: What are challenges for Bar’N’Bus in 2011? How would you like to see the Thurrock Bar’N’Bus project develop?
TT: What are the changes being made at the Trust and how are they going? SC: Currently the Trust we are looking at the future of Bar N Bus. The Trust have decided that they need to employ a Project Director on a part-time basis to help work this through and to develop new bus teams. Trouble is we can’t pay them very much so will need to be someone who has a big heart for
SC: Yes, the Chairman was very pleased. He said, “Brilliant”. TT: What is your message to the Thurrock teams for 2011? SC: You are all superb and doing a great job. Most of all you are making a difference in the lives of the young people you meet and helping to make the communities in which you live a better place to live. For all the current teams 2011 is a crucial year with Government spending cuts and unemployment among young people on the up, the work of Bar N Bus is going to be more crucial than ever. TT: Thank you Stu! Photos from top:
There were also team members from the West Thurrock bus night present. |
TT: From which teams and towns did they come from?
SC: Yes very pleased – I just wish people would book in a little earlier! A week before we had only 75 booked – and I had told the restaurant we would be around 175-200.
SC: The biggest challenges for 2011 will be volunteers and drivers. We need more volunteers and drivers just to keep the current teams running let alone start up any new teams. To volunteer please email me on stuchristian@barnbus.org.uk or visit our website for more details www.barnbus.org.uk.
TT: Was Bar’N’Bus Trust Chairman Phil Pavitt pleased with the turn-out for the curry night? Did he have anything to say about the event?
Stifford’s Rev Andy Higgs and his wife Sue – longstanding supporters of Bar’N’Bus