Usually on the week after the Town Mayor’s Ball there would be a picture in the Chronicle of the Mayor along with Civic guests from around the area and a note about how much had been raised for the Town Mayor’s Charities. This year, on the eve of the Town Mayor’s Ball, all that remained in the Town Hall was some non-perishable goods that were due to be made into essential food parcels on Monday morning.
The Town Mayor, Cllr Sally Ann Holland, was pragmatic about the postponed event saying “The Mayor’s Ball, along with many, many other planned events for the town had to be put on hold while we follow government advice and all do what we can to reduce the risk of Coronavirus spreading and shield those who are most vulnerable. I am extremely grateful to everyone who donated raffle prizes and to the 163 people who purchased tickets. We are hoping to reschedule the ball for August or September. A date will be confirmed as soon as possible, but in the meantime, if anyone needs to have their ticket refunded or prize returned please contact the Town Council on 01260 270350 ext 4 to arrange this.
The Mayor is working with the entertainers on a new date. These include The Funky Cats band, opera soprano singer Carrie-Ann Williams (locally born talent dedicating her performance for free), Ewan Ling and Friends (again locally born talent donating their performances). Ewan was due to perform on April 18th at Daneside Theatre at a “Hope for Children Charity Concert”
The Town Mayor is also keen to reschedule other fund-raising events which have been put on hold during the Coronavirus pandemic. These include a 14-mile charity walk tackling the ‘three local peaks’ and a golf tournament. She said: “Right now the most important thing is for people to stay at home and protect those most at risk. When it is the right time to do so, it will be good to come together again and to raise much needed funds for local charities.”
