Picking up, dusting down, and starting all over again

01 January 2000
Picking up, dusting down, and starting all over again

One of the attractions of going to the cinema is the chance to see previews of films to come. Short bursts of action, meaningful looks in close-up, throwaway jokes - these power-packed snippets are great entertainment, and they leave the viewer wanting more.

For the past few months, we've been getting snapshots like this of the changing Hotel and Catering Benevolent Association (HCBA). The scenes have promised much. New leading lady in the role of chief executive. Cast of notables at the top. Exciting new storyline for the autumn.

In plain English, this means the appointment of Alison Rogers as chief executive, a new board of trustees, the setting-up of industry-led committees to add pazzazz to the charity's activities and a new emphasis on fundraising.

The full picture is now on show. It's a complete remake(see page 6). Gone is the tired old soap: this is, quite literally, an action adventure. HCBA Part II is called Hospitality Action. And it looks like it's here for a long run.

There are bound to be misgivings about the change of direction. There is to be no more sheltered housing for pensioners, for example. But then, as Rogers said at the charity's theatrical relaunch in London last week, it's best to leave housing to experts in housing.

And there's the name - Hospitality Action. Jack Webster, in his book Stakis - the Reo Stakis Story, tells the tale of when the famous Scottish hotelier joined forces with entertainer Jimmy Logan back in the 1960s. They formed a charity to help the disabled, and called it the "Stars Organisation for Spastics". That name wouldn't be tolerated today, but, at the time, the choice didn't get in the way of the purpose, which was to raise money.

One critic in last week's London audience bemoaned the loss of the word "benevolent" from the name of the new charity. Sorry, but there's no point having benevolent in the title if the charity doesn't have enough funds to be benevolent.

What is important is the action. Not the words, but the deeds. And the action looks exciting. There's the Hospitality Ball this year, a week of events next year, and a lot in between.

There is no doubt that the old HCBA was underachieving.It was struggling to support both itself and the industry itsought to serve. Thankfully, those in charge have woken upand smelt the coffee. They are to be commended forrecognising that the plot was wearing thin.

What remains to be seen is whether the audience will make this new production a blockbuster. That audience is us - and you. It's therefore up to us, and to you, to lend some support or come along to one of the shows. The Hospitality Ball would be a good place to start. See you there. n

FORBESMUTCH

Editor, Caterer & Hotelkeeper

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