Paul Stacey has had it far too easy for the last ten years, so Lewis Allsopp decided that, when Paul arrived for the Breakfast Show on Monday 31st October, he was going to lock him out....
Paul is celebrating a whole decade presenting the Erewash Sound Breakfast Show! However, we didn't want to just leave him with a birthday cake and a card to get on with things from the warm, cozy and convenient confines of the studio!
As soon as he arrived to start another week and after months of secrecy and planning involving some of his fellow presenters, his family and probably some friends in on the ruse too, Paul was locked out and bundled out of the door with some outside broadcast kit on a treasure hunt with clues designed for listeners to tell him his route around the borough and to his final destination at The Draycott Tap on Friday morning for his end-of-week party!
From an initial meeting with his parents and a flask of hot coffee in Dale Abbey on Monday morning, his route took him to Broomfield Hall College in Morley to do some gardening, the Wonky Teapot in Long Eaton to ice some cakes. to Sandiacre Town FC for a rigourous training session, Curves Gym in Ilkeston for a work out, Hooks Farm in Borrowash to meet the animals and get recruited as a farm hand and finally, he was put through the machines - not literally - to manufacture some mince pies at Stacey's Bakery in Ilkeston.
On Friday morning (4th), the show came LIVE from the Draycott Tap House where he met the Mayor of Erewash, Cllr John Sewell and enjoyed a live 'Windy Pops' performance from Long Eaton Silver Prize Band led by Sharon Stansfield with their version of 'Supertrouper' by ABBA.
He also received an engraved pint pot to mark his 10th anniversary on the Erewash Sound Breakfast Show into which a commemorative beer was poured. Greg Maskalick from the Tap House, had commissioned a special beer available for a limited time called 'Windy Hops'.
After the Friday treat, Paul said: "I'm still beaming! Overjoyed at such a ridiculous, incredible surprise for me (and anyone in Draycott who wasn't awake!). Thank you so much!"
The party was set to continue at the Draycott Tap House from 5pm on Friday 4th with a number of Erewash Sound presenters arriving to join regulars and make sure that beer didn't go to waste!
(www.drinkaware.co.uk - for the facts)