Namedrops keep falling...

Regular readers of the Marple Leaf will be familiar with the regular pattern of namedropping that goes on here. Today, I have to say, I don't know where to start. Here's a sentence I never thought I'd write: I had dinner with Drew Stokes and Ricky Hatton last night.

At the Society of Editors dinner last night, my table comprised of these people:

• Sir Christopher Meyer, chairman of the Press Complaints Commission and former ambassador to the USA
• Ricky Hatton, top boxer
• Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester
• Paddy Harverson, communications secretary to Prince Charles
• Paul Horrocks, editor, Manchester Evening News
• Linda Horrocks, editor in chief, Manchester Evening News
• Harold Riley, artist
• Ashraf Riley, wife of Harold
• Angie Robinson, chief executive, Manchester Chamber

Angie, Paul and Linda are good mates anyway, but I really enjoyed everyone's company on the night. Great mix of people and loads of brilliant stories flying about.