Thanks for the positive responses from those that did attend the last dinner, which I and I think all that went thoroughly enjoyed. I spent a lot of time and effort in organising it, and can accept that not everything was perfect, and we need to learn and move forward.
Having been to many (30?) club dinners, there are some things that work, some that are tradition, some that don't.
My three pennies worth is:
Don't mind where it is located (except central London)
Would not like to lose the "formality", it is primarily an awards ceremony, not a party.
Music afterwards - we used to do this, only to find 6 people on the dance floor and the rest trying to find somewhere quiet to chat, which is why we dropped it. I have not missed it.
Once you factor in cost of menu, hall hire, service charge, free invites to "open winners" the only way to reduce ticket price would be to subsidise it? This is another debate entirely.
Cross toasting - is this unique to cycling clubs? What is wrong with it? If you don't want to take part then leave it.
No speaker - interesting to give this a try, and didn't miss it.
A suggestion that could link in with earlier posts re "inclusivity" is that I have in the past attended club dinners held at lunchtime rather than evening, which is more informal, will be cheaper, and could tie in with a club run?? For example, there are several golf clubs around that could cater for us.