We enjoyed some lovely early summer weather for our Ball of the Year in Chesterfield
perfect to take advantage of the pretty garden adjacent to the bar of our hotel,
which had very nice comfortable bedrooms. The staff were very friendly and helpful
and the breakfast extremely good. Most members took the opportunity to visit the
local countryside to places such as Renishaw Hall, Chatsworth House or the shops
and church with the crooked spire within Chesterfield. We could even get to Matlock
via a local bus service.
The Winding Wheel, our venue for dancing is quite spacious
with a lovely floor. As it was such a warm weekend the staff on duty Sunday night
brought out the ice cream freezer which most of us took advantage of.
Of course the main attraction of the weekend was the dancing, Keith and Kath Jackson
got us off with an excellent start on Friday. Kath looking lovely wearing a red pleated
chiffon skirt with a pretty white lace top with Keith sporting a matching red waistcoat,
they are superb dancers and great advocates and supporters of the Society. Kath informed
me they had chosen red for the Blades, their local Sheffield football club.
We had new leaders to the Society on the main evening in the shape of Neil and Lesley
Marshall. They danced a varied programme that included some of the dances they invented.
They have a very relaxed and friendly style, Neil having a great line in banter,
taking time to either chat or dance with some of our members. Lesley very stylish
in a black and white cocktail dress and Neil in evening suit, they assured us all
of how much they had enjoyed the event and would lead for us again “at the drop of
a hat ". And I am sure we would be more than happy to have them again.
Barry Rogers is a very inclusive MC and makes everyone feel part of the proceedings
and along with his new dance partner Linda Fouracres did a great job on the final
evening. Linda wore a beautiful royal blue dress and Barry evening suit and I particularly
enjoyed their programme.
We had two new musicians . Richard Keeling Friday and Sunday. Charles Brown took
charge of the music on the Saturday. They both produced very good performances and
greatly contributed to a wonderful weekend of brilliant dancing singing fun and laughter.
The
Committee along with the support of those members attending decided that the proceeds
of this year's raffle would be donated to the Manchester victims of terrorism appeal.
We raised a magnificent £300.00 . Frank and Jean Dry were asked to present the donation
as they live in Manchester.