The 2025 Festival Ball, June 2025
An Evening of Elegance and Charity: with a bit of Queen thrown in.
All in aid of the 2025 FestivalAshford International Hotel
On a very hot Saturday evening, members, friends and families came together to celebrate another year of fundraising for the 2025 Festival.
We were back at the Ashford International Hotel, where the tables were set, and guests gathered in the lobby, ready for a night of good food, entertainment and fun.
It has been some time since we were here in Ashford, the room looked fantastic, and the stage was set for the evening’s entertainment, more about that later.
Our Toast Master, (see above) David Pearson controlled the timing to a T, ushering guests through the doors, to be greeted with tables decorated with Orchids, place settings aligned with military precision, and an atmosphere tingling with excitement.
The Grand Entrance
Things didn’t quite go to plan, as the Provincial Grand Master, Neil Hamilton Johnstone and his wife Margaret entered the Dining Hall, the photographer couldn’t walk that fast going backwards, and missed some of the best shots. That’s a live event!
From top to bottom.
David led the Provincial Grand Stewards into position.
Guard of Honour.
The Provincial Grand Master Neil Hamilton Johnstone and his wife Margaret, enter the room, lead by David Pearson, Toast Master.
With the guests seated, it was time for Grace, and then, for everyone to enjoy the sumptuous meal. But not before Miki Travis got his hands on unsuspecting guests. A Bit of Magic ! !
The First of the Entertainment
We will forget the antics of our resident magician, and turn our attention to the first of what turned out to be, three acts.
Acoustic Rain. Performing a catalogue of popular songs whilst guests tucked into their meal, it was refreshing and enjoyable to hear such young talent.
During the break in courses, it became a lovly interlude.
The Impromtu Second Act!
WOW! is all I can say, as some guests reached down to help a waitress, who had inadvertently dropped cutlery and ice buckets from her tray to make a considerable clatter, as the waitress stood up, the music started, the guests were stunned as the waitress sprung into song, “Let Me Entertain You”.
The music continued and two of the male waiters joined in, the audience were in awe, standing, dancing at the tables, jumping onto chairs, waving their napkins, what a sight.
It was certainly fantastic to see everyone enjoying themselves, even one of our esteemed APGM’s had a go. It took a while as you can see from the photos, left leg kick, right leg kick! There you go ! More photos below.
Supersonic Queen
Giving us two sets of songs, a wardrobe change and lots of famous hits, We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, Somebody to love and much more.
THE GRAND DRAW!
2 Week Cruise
So, with the entertainment taking a well earned break, it was time for the Grand Draw.
Digging deep into the tombola, finding that winning ticket. But who won?
Congratulations to Mr Ian Luck, the winner of the 2 week cruise.
“55 inch TV”
Won by Lee Adams of the Widows Sons
“A Vacuum Cleaner”
Won by Kevin Brett
“Helicopter Flight”
Won by Kathy Tulley
“Case of Wine”
Won by Yvonne Stones
“On the Square Whiskey”
Won by Karen Costelloe
“A Stay at the Ashford Int Hotel”
Collected by Mark Lawson
“Madness Tickets”
Won by Kathy Tulley
“Alpine Sports Car for a weekend”
Won by Richard Schacht
Friends, Ladies, Gentlemen and Brethren, fully fed, entertained and worn out from the successful evening, started leaving for home, with smiles on their faces, goodbyes said, another successful Ball hosted by the Provincial Grand Stewards was over.
The Provincial Grand Master, and the Chairman of the Board of Stewards 2024, WBro Christian Doll, thanked everyone involved in making this such a great evening, thank you all for attending, supporting and contributing to the evening.
See you on the of November 2025, for the Closing Gala.
Article and photos by WBro Paul Gear ProvGCO
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