The MRS Awards! A fairy tale account

7th December 2022 11:16

Written by James Hinde, Research Director

We left the dark mill towns of the North with hope in our hearts on a train bound for the bright lights of London town. We, a ragtag bunch drawn from across the company, had been selected to attend the event of the year nominated for two of the grandest awards, Best Agency and Best Place to Work! We would be up against the fineries of the London elite and were rank outsiders, but it did not deter us.

The journey was long and we faced many obstacles. An important man chose to leave our carriage completely on the sight of us, hearing of my cold and quite possibly the fact that we were from the North. As he turned away he uttered “I cannot afford to get ill right now”, due to his importance in the world. None of us can though sir, can we?

We arrived to the bustle of London town and being new to these parts we did not realise that the province of Southwark might in fact have more than one Inn called Premier Inn. So, we embarked on a Google maps tour of the Inns like some kind of fearful urban Nativity until finally we were received and rooms were found for us and we settled in to prepare ourselves for the great evening to come.

As I descended the stairs of the (Premier) Inn I was greeted by the Innkeeper who declared how magnificent I looked in the fine clothes that I had borrowed from my Father. I proceeded to tell her a story. Of a band of peasants that had started in just a tiny little shed no bigger than room for one cow. Of how this band had persevered and drawn others to it, all from humble beginnings in the forgotten land called the North and all with a glint in their eye and steel in their soul. And I told of how that band had grown into a great company and how we had travelled all this way to attend the most glorious event of them all. And she listened intently and sent us on our way with her blessings and hope in our soul.

We left into the night and the glorious lights of London town. The historic majesty of St Paul’s lay right in front of us and as we crossed the bridge of Southwark we could see the bright brilliance of the Shard in front of us shining up towards heaven as if to speak with God. Many snaps and selfies were taken along the way and songs were sung of the glory of the double winners we hoped soon to be.

As we entered the Palace of Billingsgate we were greeted with sights the like of which we had never seen before. The royalty of the London elite surrounded us in their dazzling clothes, the ceiling rose above us and many coloured lights shone around the room. Servants presented us with drinks on silver platters and we chatted away to our hearts delight when we saw others from the North who had too made that long journey.

We were to be ushered into an even grander room where we had been treated to an entire table of our own. A magnificent stage lay before us and Queen Jane Frost presented herself in front of us to tell tales of research and the challenges to come. Then we were treated to London’s finest vittles and it was all very tasty, although the portions were quite meagre for our Northern appetites. The wine seemed to flow forever and there was great cheer.

A lively court jester with the name of Suzi Ruffles began the entertainment with great hilarity and then the award announcements began!

As the awards were presented over what seemed to be an interminable time, talk turned to whether we could win and overturn this London elite in their own land. As the wine tumbled down the talk got braver and louder. We dared to believe it was possible, but could it happen? Giants and Dragons have been slain before. Small groups of soldiers have fought off great armies. Anything is possible maybe if you just believe?

We didn’t win. But, to not win is not to lose. To not win is to come back next year with hope in your heart and pride in your work and to keep coming back. To strive to be the best you can be as a group even in the face of the might of the competition.

For as we tumbled home with our bellies full and singing songs of “nearly” double winners I realised in my soul that was it, that is what makes us the band that we are and why we will go on never losing and that we will be back again with that hope in our hearts and pride in our work. And for that we will always be winners!