The night of the 3rd Annual Mersey Valley Group Ball held at the DCBL Stadium in Widnes was filled with excitement and smiles. Guests started to arrive, dressed to impress in beautiful gowns and sharp tuxedos.
This annual event is the highlight for the Mersey Valley Group and the brethren to came together to let their hair down and have a fantastic night with their friends and families. The meal was scheduled to be served at 6:30 pm, and in a timely manner, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, David Boyes, invited everyone to start making their way into the dining room.
Once everyone had found their seats, David asked everyone to stand to welcome the Mersey Valley Group Chairman Dave Atkinson and his wife Patricia, along with Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andy Whittle and his wife Amanda, as well as Mersey Valley Group Vice Chairman John Gibbon, along with his wife Yvonne.
After welcoming the honoured guests, Dave requested that everyone remain standing while grace was said. The meal was then served in elegant style by the friendly DCBL Stadium staff. There were no complaints; the service was excellent, and the food was of a very high quality.
As the evening progressed, the wine kept flowing and everyone was in high spirits. At last year’s ball, there was an unexpected change to the advertised entertainment; the Soul & Motown trio, The Aim, stepped in at the last minute and did such an amazing job that it was decided to book them again. Remarkably, they were even better this year than last! The dance floor quickly filled with guests showcasing their moves and strutting their stuff.
During the intermission, a raffle was held to raise much-needed funds for both Masonic and non-Masonic charities. The air buzzed with excitement as participants eagerly anticipated a chance to win a variety of enticing prizes. As the evening progressed, the atmosphere grew even more electric, culminating in a moment of joyful celebration when it was announced that the event had raised an impressive £1,300. The heartfelt applause that followed resonated throughout the room, a testament to the generosity and spirit of everyone involved.
Andy Whittle gave a big shoutout to Bob Williams, Kevin Morton, Dave Atkinson and John Gibbon for putting together such an incredible evening, and the crowd of 130 couldn’t agree more, erupting into a warm round of applause.
The Aim trio made their way back to the stage, and by this time, everyone was in the mood to dance and have a great time! For those who preferred a more laid-back vibe, it was the perfect chance to mingle and enjoy some drinks with fellow members from other lodges in the Mersey Valley Group. Overall, it was a fantastic night that everyone will want to mark on their calendars for next year!
