On Friday the 18th October, the Town Hall in Burton Upon Trent was transformed in to a stunning 1920’s dance hall as it hosted the Mayor’s “Putting on the Ritz” Charity Ball. Organised and hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress of East Staffordshire, Councillor Colin Wileman and Ms Jean Hiatt, the annual ball aimed to raise as much money as possible, by holding an auction and raffle, for the Mayor’s chosen charities, St Giles Hospice and C.R.E.S.T.
We were welcomed to the ball by the Mayor before the Reverend Stanley Monkhouse, the Mayor’s Chaplain, who also said grace. We were treated to a delicious three course meal before the auction began. Led by auctioneer, Councillor Simon Gaskin, the auction was extremely exciting and hotly contested, with diners bidding on an original watercolour, a round of golf and a days boating to name but a few. There was also a raffle, to which I donated a bottle of my very own High Sheriff’s Gin! The evening was topped off with music and much dancing.
I would like to congratulate the Mayor and Mayoress on organising such a fantastic evening and thank them for inviting me. We had a joyous time, which was made even more enjoyable by knowing that we’d raised so much money for such amazing causes.