When it was announced that the staff at Absolute Radio were to be split into four house teams to take part in special tasks throughout the year with the chance to win a yet unbeknown prize, no one realised how competitive the staff would become. Resulting in such a high level of competiveness, house team email addresses were immediately created, allowing team members to plan and discuss the task in hand. Each team was split into roughly 25 people and given the name of an animal: We have the Badgers, Monkeys, Anteaters and the Chipmunks.
It was decided that each team would hold their own ‘Donnach Does Drinks’ (DOD), a monthly event in the name of our Chief Executive Donnach O’Driscoll. Staff battled it out to see which house team could organise the finest DOD, staging themed parties packed with food, house team competitions, plenty of drinks and a healthy supply of banter.
First up were the Anteaters who went with a mexican theme. The team were lead by the infamous Chris Goldson, Absolute Radio’s Commercial Director, who treated staff at One Golden Square to a selection of tasty burritos supplied by our friends at Chilangos. The food was accompanied by plenty of Corona and a suspicious looking mexican Donnach with a dodgy spanish accent. Their chosen task for the other teams was as follows: to down a shot of tequila, eat a dried cricket and a raw chilli, then read a poem in spanish as quickly as possible. The quickest team to win were the Badgers after controversially using 4 team members to complete the feat.
A month passed by and the Chipmunks were next in line to host ‘Donnach Does Drinks’. Their chosen theme – Bollywood. They brought home made Indian food to the table, Cobra beer and decked out the staff canteen with pashminas and joss sticks. The Indian vibe was complimented by Eric and Emily who wore traditional Indian attire. The Chipmunks challenged the other house teams to come up with the most creative dance to The Geoff Lloyd Hometime theme tune, Tip Tip Writer. With an X Factor style judging panel calling the shots, they deemed that it was the Anteaters that threw the best shapes taking 1st place in the dance-off.
Bitterness, jealousy and heated arguments ensued as house teams questioned the winners of individual tasks. Calls of ‘Fix!’ ‘Fix!’.. began to resonate through the halls at One Golden Square. The fights would have to wait… for now… because it was the Badgers turn. They went for a barn dance extravaganza with hay bales, lot’s of yehaaaing and country and western singing sensation John Mouse http://www.myspace.com/johnmousemusic supplying the music. They cleverly ordered in Badger beer with Badger branded pint glasses and staff enjoyed KFC buckets and Burger King meals. Dressed in check shirts, the Badgers crowned the Chipmunks winners of the day after they pinned the tail correctly on the Donkey!
Lastly the cheeky Monkeys put on the theme of a School Disco which saw the entire team kitted out in school uniform. COO Clive Dickens donned a cap and gown, playing the headmaster, as other staff members joined in to play members of the faculty. The gear was supplied by our lovely friends at Marston Robing www.marstonrobing.com. A full Disco with flashing lights and rocking tunes set the tone for the afternoon. The teams got stuck into bangers and mash which was washed down with a combination of cider and alcopops. Before long it was time for the big challenge: The Absolute Radio School Spelling B: Each house team provided a representative and after some tough competition, the glory went to the Chipmunks following a more than controversial spelling of the word Gonorrhea to conclude the ‘Donnach Does Drinks’ contest.
We now wait with baited breath to find out which team has won the ultimate prize. This afternoon we ask ourselves…Who’s ‘Donnach Does Drinks’ were the greatest?? Expect more tasks, laughs and a whole load of fun!
