Diwali -Indian Festival of Lights at The Ramada

27 October 2008

Diwali is an Indian Festival. All over the world every year Indian communities get together at this time for five days of celebration. It is a festival of friendship and good fortune, under the watchful eye of the Goddess of Good Fortune, Lakshmi. The event takes place annually in October, generally at the new moon...And The Ramada Hotel Dover was the place to be on saturday night October 25 when the festival kicked off in fine style.

In a lavishly decorated marquee, literally hundreds of people joined in the fun. Not only was the food and wine both exotic and superb, but we were treated also to a delightful display of Bollywood style dancing by the Dancing Nikita Company, and wow was it both energetic and pulsating, and it went down a treat with the enthusiastic crowd.

There was a good mixture of the great and good at the event, and we managed to rope a few people in to be photographed.

Above from Left to Right we have a few familiar faces about town. On the left Barry Wadsworth-Smith of Doverforum, Next to him the friendly face of the affable Gwyn Prosser MP, then former Mayor and Cllr the lovely Jan Tranter, then DDC Chief Executive Nadeem Aziz, and thats the first time Nadeem has graced our pages. All thoroughly enjoying the unusual occasion.

 

At the reception before the evening began in earnest Colette Boland popped around with her little camera and caught good natured Cllr Steve Mannion enjoying the alcohol free champagne. Steve has his wife Marianne and young son Richard with him there and all three having a good time in the excellent setting. On the right, with yet more alcohol free champagne in hand, Cllr Roger Walkden the Dover Loyalty Scheme supremo, is joined by Sales & Marketing Manager at The Ramada and indeed a Cllr himself too, Trevor Bond, also in the picture and always nice to see her out and about is Roger's wife Jean.

The picture on the left shows the rather splendid lead dancer of the Nikita Dance troupe. The picture doesn't do her justice nor does it capture the speed, flow and rhythm.

Once dinner started in earnest, for those worried at the mention of the term 'non alcoholic', there was very nice wine on each table with full alcohol content, so all well there. Dishes were somewhat bewildering for the western eye but this is all part of learning, acclimatisation, and multi-culturism. Try this...

Bagar Bangain
Dal Panchrattani
Malai Kofta Curry
Vegetable Biriyani
and that was just a few.

 

 

Wow! look at these lovelies and all wearing their magnificent tiaras, each one a princess and each one very charming. They played a full part in the festival, escorting the vip's and making the presentations.
On the right we have yours truly PaulB in dazzling red tie, with the lovely blue-eyed antipodean Carolyn Bond, wife to Sales & Marketing Manager Trevor.

 

 

Picture on left shows Colette Boland with hubby Barry Wadsworth-Smith enjoying a sentimental embrace, well it had been some weeks since they had seen each other..ooh I say! On the right we have Michelle Sheppard, also known as Sheli to her friends. Sheli, who is also a sales manager at The Ramada, was magnificently attired in full sari for the occasion and well she looked just fab!
Lastly as the evening wore on, and after a glass or two, Colette B caught myself and the lovely Jan in... ermmm... quiet reflection!


Many thanks to The Ramada, in particular Trevor and Sheli, for a fantastic evening.

The Ramada really have some very special nights on during the coming months. You have to hand it to them for breaking the mould and tackling something different. I will have details of some up and coming events shortly.

Paul Boland
Added Extra...
Experience the Ramada yourself:
Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner Friday 31st October 2008
Try your luck at being a Master Sleuth whilst enjoying a delicious 3 Course Meal £29.95/person.

CHRISTMAS 2008 –
Christmas Fayre Lunches- £18.95 per person
Christmas Party Dinners - from £26.95 per person
Sunday Carvery – 2 Courses £11.95, 3 Courses £14.95, Under 5’s Free, Children 5-12 years half price.

BOOK NOW 01304 872841 Email: events@ramadadover.co.uk

YOUR comments welcome below. Its open to all. No membership required.

• Guest 641 wrote:
  Diwali - the festival of lights, it was an amazing evening, fireworks, fantastic food including curries to awaken the tastebuds of many, spinning 'Bollywood' dancers, Great company, Colourful sari's, I even took to the dance floor myself. Well Done to everyone at the Ramada Hotel and a special Thank you to Trevor and Michelle in her flowing sari.
• Jeane Trend-Hill, Essex wrote:
  What lovely photos, all the girls look great (oh ok, and you PaulB!) but I have to say that Sheli looks really fantastic.
• Guest 656 wrote:
  What a fabulous Diwali Celebration evening at the Ramada Hotel, the exotic Nikita dancers, the colours, the bling, the food and the great company made for a very enjoyable and memorable night, Well Done to all at the Ramada for such a splendid evening.
• Guest 640 wrote:
  lol!! Jeane - that fiver already in the post !
• Guest 662 wrote:
  Thanks Guys what a great write up and fab photos, I had a great night all the hard work was more than worthwhile and I grew very attached to that Sari!! The DCAL girls did a fab job of escorting our VIP's and all the Staff at the Hotel really got into the spirit of Diwali with everyone dressed in Indian dress (not just me). Chef Satish did an awesome job on the food and I have to say that without Satish and Restaurant Manager Jeevan to lead the way on Diwali decorations I really would have drawn a blank. Mrs Choudhuri was a great support and did a great job of marketing this event and ensuring we had a good turnout. I am really pleased you all enjoyed it.
  
  Now what can I wear for Elvis Night? any one got a rock n roll dress I can borrow?
  
  Thanks again
  Sheli x
• Guest 663 wrote:
  A lovely cultural evening with some beautifully dressed ladies around interesting mixture of food all very tastefull.
  The dancers were enjoyable to watch and as always good company around the table as the pictures show we all enjoyed it thank you to all at the Ramada.
• Loren, Dover wrote:
  well i can say that us carnival girls and no doubt everyone else had a fantasstic night well done ramada!! Everyone looked beautiful!
• max headroom, dover wrote:
  i noticed that our assteamed mp was on the pickt line again,he seems to be striking more than the french fishermen latly.
• Roger, Dover wrote:
  Sorry I haven't been on here for a few days, but just like to add that it was indeed a great night last Saturday - Diwali at the Ramada.
  
  A really warm welcome and with fireworks to start off the evening, it all got off to a great start and continued in the same vein until it was time for Jean and I to go - always too early, but very necessary.
  
  When I send out the circular emails about events and special evenings and breaks at the Ramada, it may, to those who have not been there, seem expensive, but everything they do there, they do it properly and obviously have the right staff; from Satesh the chef, to Trevor and Michelle the Marketing and Events Managers and every one in between.
  
  The owners know what they want to offer their guests and do so with a high degree of quality.
  
  Whether you go for their special lunches at £6.95, or their A La Carte lunches or dinners (attracting Loyalty Scheme discounts) you know you will have a very enjoyable experience.
  
  As Paul mentioned, try their Christmas Party Nights - a great time guaranteed, or, after all the work on Christmas Day, treat yourself to Boxing Day at The Ramada.
  
  The Best venue in Dover for quality.
  
  
  
  
  Roger
• Guest 640 wrote:
  Just to let everyone know a bit more about the Elvis night mentioned by Sheli below....
  
  ELVIS PRESLEY TRIBUTE NIGHT Saturday 15th November 2008
  
  Enjoy a 3 Course Meal whilst paying to tribute to the great Elvis Presley with Cliff Castle as Elvis.
  
  Ticket Price £29.95.
  
  For more information or to BOOK NOW 01304 872841 Email events@ramadadover.co.uk
  
• Nikita Thakrar, London (Dancing Nikita Company) wrote:
  On behalf of my entire team, I just wanted to say that we really enjoyed performing at the event. We perform at a lot of different venues and events all over, but the vibe that we got from the Diwali night at Ramada was exceptional.
  
  Thank you for a warm reception which was gratefully received and only added to the buzz of wanting to perform with even more passion and energy. We hope to perform for you again in the future.
  
  For more information about our dance company please visit: www.dancingnikitacompany.com
  
  Best wishes,
  
  Nikita Thakrar
  (Director and principle dancer)
• Roger, Dover wrote:
  Cliff Castle was the Elvis tribute singer at the Priory Forum Funday in the summer - and he was very good, definitely worth going to.
  
  Would you like me to send a poster round about it Michelle ?
  
  
  
  
  
  Roger
• Guest 640 wrote:
  Very nice to hear from you Nikita...you did a great show. It was such a lovely evening and hugely enjoyed by all.
• Guest 640 wrote:
  I see our good friends over on the Dubris Column had a good bit of fun with this Diwali page, and very amusing it was too. Always good to know they are tuning in...No doubt you guys will be rushing out hot foot to tuck in to your Dal Panchratani and yer Ghosth Adraki (have a glass of water to hand) !!
  
  Might be an idea chappies to mention which website you were referring to. I know the 'in crowd' know but lets not leave anyone out.
  
  Larry David indeed !
• Guest 656 wrote:
  Welcome to doverforum Nikita. I really enjoyed your dancing on Diwali night It was mesmerising to watch and I certainly look forward to next time . Your dance troupe are so entertaining to watch.
• Roger, Dover wrote:
  Well said Colette.
  
  Great dancing Nikita - passion, verve and obvious enjoyment; very colourful too - a great show.
  
  Long may you keep dancing and enthralling people.
  
  
  
  
  Roger
  
• Guest 663 wrote:
  Yes Nikita the danceing was a joy to watch hopefully we will get to see you guys again.
  My the guys on dubris are getting real cheeky.
  
• Michelle, Whitfield wrote:
  Thanks Roger, I am back in the office on Monday so I will send you something to go round, much appreciated.
  
  Great to hear from Nikita, they really were a great bunch of dancers and totally captivating.
  
  Love Shelix
• steve manion, Great Mongeham wrote:
  My wife is Dr Marianne Ford not Annabel as we were there for her work with GPs in Dover.
  Great Pictures and we had a lovely time.
  Our thanks too to the dancers as well as the organisers.
• Guest 640 wrote:
  Apologies for that Steve, have changed it now. Was good to see you on the night. A great occasion for sure. The kind of thing the Ramada do very well.
• steve manion, Great Mongeham wrote:
  Thanks for that Paul.
  Your tireless efforts are appreciated
  steve