Essex Mark Provincial Grand Lodge
125th Anniversary Banquet
Saturday 18 May 2024
Orsett Hall
125 and still going strong!
Saturday 18th of May saw the culmination of 125 years of hard work come to fruition when Essex Province marked the formation of the province, and 150 people joined together to celebrate.
This event itself, which was six months in the planning, commenced with a champagne reception followed by a gala dinner. Posh frocks were in abundance and the bow ties and dinner suits were all, remarkably, well fitted.
During the evening, and between courses, three magicians roamed the room and entertained, or wowed, the audience at their tables. Cards disappeared and ropes quite amazingly changed length. All very impressive with hearty rounds of laughter and applause being heard around the banqueting suite.
Playing softly in the background the Saxophonist from the Peter O’Donnell band was helping to maintain the mood without being in the way of the gentle chatter.
Food was served and was exceptional. The Orsett Hall Hotel and Restaurant had excelled, and compliments were in abundance for the food and the service.
As the tables were cleared and service ceased, we were entertained by our delightful solo cabaret singer – the ever-young Anita Harris. Many of those attending knew Anita from the 60’s and 70’s when she was a popular singer with several chart hits, and an actress who appeared in two of the successful “Carry On” films. Anita didn’t disappoint. The range of songs, from singalongs to jazz was brilliantly performed to everyone’s approval and satisfaction. Having taken an encore and closed her set we were then treated to an evening of late-night music and dancing from the Peter O’Donnell band. On several occasions it was noticeable that the entire room was deserted as the dancefloor was crowded full.
The bumper raffle of twelve select prizes was a huge success. Strangely the star price of a battery powered chainsaw was in high demand with many people selecting it as their wanted prize. In the event it was chosen by the very first ticket drawn from the drum.
An impromptu auction of a holiday in Spain and concert tickets to see “Madness” and “Elbow” added to the fundraising activities. In all, over £3000 was raised for the Essex Mark 2030 Festival.
A lovely occasion when friends, old and new, were able to get together in such a charming way.
Here’s to the 150th anniversary, for which, hopefully, some of us will still be around.
Geoff Newman
Saturday 18th of May saw the culmination of 125 years of hard work come to fruition when Essex Province marked the formation of the province, and 150 people joined together to celebrate.
This event itself, which was six months in the planning, commenced with a champagne reception followed by a gala dinner. Posh frocks were in abundance and the bow ties and dinner suits were all, remarkably, well fitted.
During the evening, and between courses, three magicians roamed the room and entertained, or wowed, the audience at their tables. Cards disappeared and ropes quite amazingly changed length. All very impressive with hearty rounds of laughter and applause being heard around the banqueting suite.
Playing softly in the background the Saxophonist from the Peter O’Donnell band was helping to maintain the mood without being in the way of the gentle chatter.
Food was served and was exceptional. The Orsett Hall Hotel and Restaurant had excelled, and compliments were in abundance for the food and the service.
As the tables were cleared and service ceased, we were entertained by our delightful solo cabaret singer – the ever-young Anita Harris. Many of those attending knew Anita from the 60’s and 70’s when she was a popular singer with several chart hits, and an actress who appeared in two of the successful “Carry On” films. Anita didn’t disappoint. The range of songs, from singalongs to jazz was brilliantly performed to everyone’s approval and satisfaction. Having taken an encore and closed her set we were then treated to an evening of late-night music and dancing from the Peter O’Donnell band. On several occasions it was noticeable that the entire room was deserted as the dancefloor was crowded full.
The bumper raffle of twelve select prizes was a huge success. Strangely the star price of a battery powered chainsaw was in high demand with many people selecting it as their wanted prize. In the event it was chosen by the very first ticket drawn from the drum.
An impromptu auction of a holiday in Spain and concert tickets to see “Madness” and “Elbow” added to the fundraising activities. In all, over £3000 was raised for the Essex Mark 2030 Festival.
A lovely occasion when friends, old and new, were able to get together in such a charming way.
Here’s to the 150th anniversary, for which, hopefully, some of us will still be around.
Geoff Newman
|
|
|
Posted 26/05/2024
