Those literally too late to the party and unable to secure a table missed president Ross Kieran, of Ocean Estate Agents, reveal that more than £26,000 had been raised in the last 12 months for the association’s nominated charities, Above and Beyond, and Starfish.

Kieran passed the chain of office to incoming president John Benson of Alder King, Benson’s chosen charities for his year as president are St Peter’s Hospice and the Great Western Air Ambulance. He urged his colleagues to take advantage of a strong market and not be complacent over the next 12 months.

This year’s guest speaker was stunt and racing driver Ben Collins, best known as the “original” Stig on BBC’s Top Gear. He had the packed room awestruck recounting tales of life on the TV show and, more recently, as a stunt driver on films including the James Bond series.