Scarborough Borough Council

Tickets selling fast for Mayor’s glittering gala dinner

21 March

This is the last opportunity to get a ticket for this year’s Mayor’s gala dinner, a special Diamond Jubilee Ball which is being held at Scarborough Spa on Friday 30 March.

The ball will be hosted by the Mayor and the Mayoress of the Borough of Scarborough, Cllr John Blackburn and Mrs Jackie Blackburn in association with the Rotary Club of Scarborough to help raise as much money as possible for the Mayoress’ Community Fund which benefits local groups and organisations.

Being held at a venue which is the jewel of the town, Scarborough Spa, with entertainment from ‘Opus One’, a 10 piece big band performing all kinds of music and a delectable four course meal on offer the scene is set for a real gem of an evening.

Members of the Rotary Club of Scarborough have been busy hunting down money can’t buy prizes to help raise funds as part of a silent auction which will take place on the evening. The main prize in the auction, in-keeping with the Diamond Jubilee theme is an exquisite piece of diamond jewellery made especially for the occasion by Rosh Jewellers, kindly donated by the proprietor, David Haywood.

Other one-off delights on offer to bidders include:

• A ‘drivers experience’ on the North Bay Miniature Railway (kindly donated by David Humphreys)
• A ride for 4 on Scarborough’s Lifeboat on Lifeboat Day (kindly donated by Scarborough RNLI)
• A classic selection box of 12 bottles of wine (kindly donated by Imaginative Icing)
• A one night stay in the Sands penthouse suite (kindly donated by Nigel Wood and Richard Dean of Escape2 the Sands)
• Two dining tickets on the North York Moors Pullman steam train (kindly donated by North York Moors Railway)
• An escorted tour around The Houses of Parliament together with afternoon tea (kindly donated by Robert Goodwill MP)
• Bed and breakfast for two at the luxury Crab Manor Hotel, Thirsk (donated by Crab Manor Hotel)

The Mayor of the borough, Cllr John Blackburn said:

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Rotary Club of Scarborough for the support, enthusiasm and generosity they have shown not only to me as Mayor but also the whole borough.

“All the monies raised by purchase of the tickets along with the auction will go to local good causes via the Mayoress’ Community Fund. It’s a great way for the whole community to pull together so get your tickets now.”

Nigel Wood, President of the Rotary Club of Scarborough added:

“It's a privilege to work together with the Mayor of the Borough, Cllr John Blackburn in support of the Mayoress' Community Fund, and especially on this event ‘The Diamond Jubilee Ball’. It is particularly pleasing that in this, the 90th year of the Rotary Club of Scarborough, we can come together with the Mayor and Mayoress as John is a former President of our club and actually inducted me into Rotary on 9 April 2001.

“This will be a very special evening and having attending these events before, we can look forward to a really good night and raise money together in support of the Mayoress' fund.

“I am also delighted that David Haywood of Rosh Jewellers in Huntriss Row, has generously agreed to sponsor and design a bespoke piece of diamond jewellery that we will auction on the night as this year we are celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.”

The ball will take place in Scarborough Spa’s Ocean Room and guests will be asked to arrive for 7pm where a drinks reception will be held before sitting down for dinner at 8pm. Guests will be able to park in the underground car park or on the Esplanade as the cliff lift will be running all evening.

Tickets are on sale at £35 each, guests may want to have a table with friends or colleagues of 10 or 12 but singles or couples will be seated with other groups. For further information or to purchase a ticket please contact Irene Webster, Civic Officer for Scarborough Borough Council by telephoning 01723 232311 or e-mailing irene.webster@scarborough.gov.uk