One of the region’s top leisure destinations celebrates 20 years in business with a Lancashire Life dinner

Great British Life: Carl and Marie Richardson with Vicky and Tony HobanCarl and Marie Richardson with Vicky and Tony Hoban (Image: Archant)

Twenty years spent creating one of the north west’s most successful holiday and leisure destinations was celebrated by friends, customers and suppliers at a special Lancashire Life dinner.

The Private Dining Room at Ribby Hall Village in Wrea Green provided a stunning backdrop to an evening of fine food and excellent wine. Lancashire Life editor Roger Borrell paid tribute to a the vision of managing director and owner, Paul Harrison, who created a vibrant village containing a wide range of facilities, including award-winning holiday lets, restaurants, a spa hotel, wedding and conference venues and health club.

Mr Harrison, accompanied by his wife, Janet, who was responsible for the interior design, paid tribute to the team who had helped to build a business with a handful of staff to more than 400 employees.

The beautifully decorated dining room was recently refurbished and it can now accommodate up to 100 guests for a buffet or 64 for a sit-down meal. It is 100 per cent sound-proofed and has its own private bar.

Manager Bevan Middleton guided guests to their seats and head chef Simon Ball and his team treated them to a series of dishes that demonstrated great skill and imagination. It was accompanied by some first rate wines from Hallgarten Druitt.

Other sponsors for the evening included Suzanne and Dorothy Wilson, of Poppies Florist; Tony and Vicky Hoban from butchers John Penny & Sons; Carl and Marie Richardson, of Oliver Kay Produce, and Gornall’s Dairy Foods.

Guests were entertained by guitarist and singer James Edgar.

For more information please call 01772 671155 or visit ribbyhall.co.uk/dining

Menu

A selection of chef’s little treats

Tedeschi Soave Classico 2012, Veneto, Italy

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Salad of caramelised baby pears, Garstang blue cheese, candied walnuts, lemon and pear fluid gel

Saint Clair Riesling 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand

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Trio of pork, roasted loin, braised cheek, brawn croquette

Carmen Carmenere Gran Reserva 2011, Apalta, Chile

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Assiette of chocolate desserts

Gerard Bertrand Rivesaltes 1988, Languedoc, France

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A selection of Simon’s favourite cheeses

Peter Lehmann Botrytis Semillon 2011, South Australia

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Freshly ground coffee and petit fours