Sodexo Prestige staff at Mansfield Civic Centre ensured double Olympic gold medallist, Rebecca Adlington, was treated to the very best in British hospitality on her return from Beijing when hosting a party in honour of the swimmer’s world record breaking achievements.
The party, organised by Mansfield District Council and Sodexo Prestige, was the culmination of a day’s celebrations, after more than 16,000 proud Mansfield residents took to the streets to applaud Rebecca as she toured her Nottinghamshire home town of Mansfield, in an open topped bus.
All eyes had been on Mansfield Civic Centre earlier that afternoon, as before setting off on her tour Rebecca gave a national press conference in the Lindhurst Rooms, which Sodexo staff had set up to receive film crews from Sky, the BBC and ITN.
That evening, Sodexo Prestige transformed the Lindhurst Rooms again, this time to receive more than 300 of Rebecca’s family, friends and sponsors for a party to celebrate her becoming Britain’s most successful female swimmer in more than a century.
Rebecca was presented with a pair of golden Jimmy Choo shoes by Mansfield executive mayor, Tony Egginton, before instructing everyone to make the most of the food, drink and entertainment prepared by Sodexo Prestige in her honour.
Partygoers enjoyed a hot and cold finger buffet, flowing drinks and music from The Brunt’s School band (Rebecca’s former school) before taking to the dance floor for the night’s disco. Guests enjoyed a selection of luxury sandwiches, roast vegetable tartlet, potato wedges and dips as well as plaice goujons with lemon mayonnaise.
“It was a privilege to put on such a prestigious party for one of Mansfield’s heroes,” said Sodexo Prestige’s general manager at the Lindhurst Rooms, Darrell Farnsworth: “Rebecca’s success has been fantastic for Mansfield and our staff were very proud to have their photos taken with her. We were thrilled to be able to celebrate with her and her guests.”
In the months preceding the Beijing games, Sodexo Prestige hosted a number of events at the Lindhurst Rooms, with local charitable organisation the Armchair Club, to raise money to help support training for Rebecca and other Olympic hopefuls from the town.
Mansfield Civic Centre was opened in 1986 by HRH Princess Anne and, as the headquarters of Mansfield District Council, is the main administrative centre of the district. The building's distinctive design provides an impressive landmark on the main route into the town from the M1 motorway. Facilities include a 250-bay car park, landscaped grounds suitable for outside events and local leisure facilities close by.
