The last ever Widnes Group Charity Ball was held on Saturday 7 May 2022, the last Saturday before the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting in Blackpool.
Why the last? Because the amalgamation of Widnes Group, meeting at Widnes Masonic Hall, Kingsway, Widnes, officially became part of the new and much larger Mersey Valley Group at the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting. This new group incorporates St Helens and Prescot Group, Widnes Group and Woolton and Garston Group
The Widnes Group Charity Ball is a tradition started many years ago and this year’s ball, hosted by the group chairman Neil Pedder, was one of the most entertaining in its long history. It was themed as a 1960s / 1970s night and started with the traditional ‘Heads and Tails’ competition where attendees pick either heads or tails and if their pick is right, they remain standing, the rest sit down. This starts to break the ice amongst the attendees, numbering just over 70, with the last 6 taking to the floor.
Tossing the coin was undertaken by Stephen McNee who turned over five heads on the run. Obviously noticed by one contender who demanded to check the coin. As if there would be a fiddle? Of the final six, five chose heads with the one tails selector actually winning, to more cries of ‘fiddle’, all light hearted but setting the tone for the rest of the night.
After a short a short welcome speech from Neil, vice chairman John Gibbon gave an explanation of where any monies raised would go, it had previously been decided that any monies would be handed over to help those people of Ukraine via Masonic charitable giving.
Mark Rainford and his smartly dressed team then served up a three-course meal. Mark is a new addition to the Widnes Group, having only taken over the catering at Widnes at the beginning of May.
Once the formalities and the dining were over it was down to the fun. The evening was compered by Bob Williams, however 21st century people found it difficult to take a man stuck in the 1960s seriously. Bob then introduced the vocalist for the evening with everybody expressing a quizzical look when a young man took to the stage.
Having been expecting to be entertained by a female vocalist, Dani Graham, known to many and enjoyed by all who had witnessed her performances, it was explained that she had been delayed returning from the cruise ship she currently worked on, and that her brother, Jonathan, had stepped in at very short notice. The show must go on, as they say, and the performance rendered was to a very high standard and thoroughly enjoyed by everybody. Jonathan very quickly won the room over and found that the ladies were leading the dancing, as usual!
During the interval prizes were awarded to the best dressed lady, and the winner was the ecstatic ‘Velma Dinkley’ from Scooby Do. There were prizes too for the children attending with all being judged as prize worthy. Even the Chairman of Widnes Masonic Hall achieved a prize – best dressed little person, but there are thoughts that he was cheating!!!!
To help keep the fun going, a raffle was drawn with the first prize going to a lady making her very first visit to a Masonic function (bet she comes again!) who walked away with a hamper of spirits. The second prize, of a wine hamper, went to Marilyn Prince for her portrayal of a Hippie. She was so magnanimous in her win, that she allowed her husband John to carry it home.
A quick ‘Roll a pound’ for a bottle of whisky took place with the winner remaining anonymous, in case he ‘suddenly gets new friends’. An even quicker round of ‘Roll a pound’ for a bottle of bubbly and glasses ended the games on a high note.
Jonathan continued his second set which even got some of the men up to dance. What a night! It was stated that some of his cover version of the hits of the 60s and 70s were even better than the original, a point argued by many. After his final song, the crowd were so enthralled with his voice and choices of songs from the decades, they demanded an encore before allowing him to retire. After his final song, the crowd were so enthralled with his voice and choices of songs from the decades, they demanded an encore before allowing him to retire.
During the evening, the Group made a presentation to Neil for their thanks to him for his leadership and commitment during his six-year tenure in office.
This event was the final chapter in the life of the Widnes Group and of Neil’s leadership as its chairman. Best wishes were offered to the new group for a successful, and happy future.
The night was a complete success with everybody hoping for another opportunity to hold a similar charity ball next year. The charity sum raised amounted to £1,300.00 with Andrew Whittle, AProvGM for the Widnes Group, thanking the group members and all attending for such generosity.
Story and pictures by Steve McNee.