Mark Ball 2018 |
| This year marked a change of venue for the Ball, with the Foxfields Country Hotel having been selected for the quality of the food, 44 large and comfortable rooms, and the great welcome from all the staff. It is always a gamble to change venue, but this change proved a resounding success! As we had booked the whole hotel, and all the rooms, this really felt like a big family party (and we couldn't upset anyone else if we were a bit loud!) |
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All is ready for the Ball |
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| Keith Beardmore surrounded by the new Organisers- |
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Keith thanks Giles & Sandra for their help |
| The new organising Committee - Alan Foster (Secretary) and his wife Helen, and Steve Walls (Treasurer & Enforcer) with his wife Jan, did a splendid job of making the transition to the new hotel seamless. The room looked beautiful, with a little help from Sandra Berkley and her mum, and I did as I was told - which included some nifty needlework on some chair covers! But when Jan Walls took over on the needles, I was much happier.......once I managed to stop the bleeding. |
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| Provincial Wardens Malcolm Serjeant & Lucas Kelly present June Beardmore with flowers |
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David Emmerson & Steve Walls look after our ProvGM |
| The reception from the hotel could not have been nicer - Jean Haigh and her family own the hotel, and that family touch really made us all feel so welcome. Whilst we were preparing the room, Jean brought us complimentary tea and coffee for all the helpers, which was generous! |
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The room shone with lights and expectation |
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| Alan & Helen Foster with Malcolm & Gill Serjeant |
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Lucas & Julie Kelly sharing a dance |
| Keith Beardmore welcomed everyone to the Ball, and the meal was good - the lamb just fell apart. My only complaint was that the bar kept selling me bottles of wine - which eventually resulted in a gentle headache, and a slightly quiet next day........but the buzz in the room was magnificent, and everyone seemed to enjoy a great evening. The band Pyramid played to their usual high standard, although they were all suffering from the dreaded cold bug that is going around. |
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Giles helps himself! |
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| Good friends and good times |
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Chris & Louise Walls |
| At midnight the official party came to an end, with a few of us availing ourselves of the night-porter service for sandwiches and yes, another drink.... |
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Kath Jones, Ernie Gavan with Rose, and Eric Delamere |
| The hotel reported heavy bookings for the event next year, 26th October 2019, at the Foxfields Country Hotel. This means 2 things - many of you who attended enjoyed yourselves, and if you were not there, and want to go next year, book early! There is another excellent hotel just next door so there is plenty of room available. Here's hoping the 2019 Ball will be even better. |
| Words and pictures by Giles Berkley, pictures by Dave Sear & Steve Walls |
