Supporters and friends of the Festival gathered in force at Wyrebank on Saturday 24th September to enjoy the second Annual Festival Ball.

The theme for the evening was “Celebration”, in honour of Her Majesty the Queen who celebrated her 90th birthday this year and, on a local level, our four Special Guests who were welcomed and toasted in style by our wonderful MC, Harry Landless following an Introduction by Festival Chairman David Butters.

SPECIAL GUESTS
Dedicated festival supporters, Be Thiele and Louise Chadwick had both chosen to celebrate their birthdays with us and Newlyweds Tim and Sophie Butters were attending their first event as husband and wife, having returned from their honeymoon on Capri just the day before. Tim designed and manages the Festival Website and Sophie was an Official Photographer on Festival Day.

ABSENT FRIENDS
Harry also raised a toast to “Absent Friends”, thinking in particular of Reg Johnson to whose memory all this year’s Festival Events are dedicated and welcoming members of his family, as always giving their support to a Community event. Wyrebank reflected the Celebration theme, being bedecked with huge cerise and silver pom poms. Tables continued the theme in cerise and green with “candy cane” favours and the atmosphere of friendliness provided by the guests, ranging in age from 18 to 93, made for a superb evening.

The Wyrebank Chef ensured all guests were more than happy with his “Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pud” based Menu and we thank the wonderful Wyrebank staff, who attended immediately to all requests (for refills mostly!)

Entertainment began with a very moving sequence of songs performed by Grace Chadwick and then DJ Rob Harris presided over a vibrant dance floor. The focus was more on “Fun” than “Fund Raising”, but of course we were there for a purpose. All profits from the Ball are dedicated to renewing the Festival’s stock of outdoor seating, purchased well over 20 years ago from the former Whittingham Hospital, and now sadly rusting.

During the course of the evening Auction items, very kindly donated by George Banks, Jewellers; Haighton Manor; The Chadwick and Landless families and Wyrebank were skilfully despatched by Harry and Caroline Landless and the Auction, together with profit from ticket sales and the Raffle etc raised a fabulous total of £1841!

Huge thanks to everyone who supported this event whether as Guests, Prize Donors, behind the scenes helpers or Wyrebank Team Members; the Community of Goosnargh & Whittingham can now look forward to a more comfortable Festival Day 2017 which, by the way, takes place on Saturday 3rd June 2017.