PTX — Partner Technical Exchange

Given the current climate, the Christmas party budget has been halved this year, from £30 a head to £15. Nobody is happier about this than I am, which is to say nobody.

Options, please vote below by Friday:

• The Orange Tree back room: buffet and one drink each. Fits us exactly.
• Building 1 canteen at Shoeburyness: free room, the catering contractor does food, shuttle there and back.
• Bowling in Chelmsford: shoes included, food not.

The Orange Tree, obviously. Nobody wants to spend a Christmas party in the canteen they eat in every day, looking at the Bounty display.

I note this is the first year the budget has gone down. I'd like it minuted that I said, in September, that it would.

Building 8 votes bowling. We have been practising on the chamber floor with a rolled-up cable drum. We're quite good now.

Result: The Orange Tree, Friday 19th, from 7pm. One drink each on the company. Anything after that is on you, and please don't put it on a mileage claim. I will know.