Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2017 | Page 48

Days out
Midsummer Night’s
Masquerade Ball
Midsummer madness was the order of the
evening when the annual Masquerade Ball
swung into action at Ventnor Botanic Garden.
The colourful event, sponsored by Red Funnel,
was in aid of the Admiral Nurses (IW) Appeal.
On arrival, guests were welcomed into the
Palm Garden for canapés, along with a glass of
Prosecco or Island Distillery Mermaid Gin and
tonics, before being welcomed to the Edulis
restaurant via an array of multi-coloured feathered
dancers from Ann Abe’s Dance Vibez troupe.
Before dinner, Lady Grylls said a few words
about the Admiral Nurses (IW) Appeal, followed
by grace from Rev Amanda Bloor.
During the meal ‘Charles I’ (aka the actor
Graham Pountney), delivered a series of short
excerpts from Felicity Fair Thompson’s play ‘Exit
the King’. After dessert, Ryde Extreme Performers
gave an amazing fire display, followed by dancing
to Soul Lounge and chill-out keyboard and vocals
from Hugh Vectronia.
After thanking the sponsors, Sally, Lady Grylls
also paid tribute to Jo Macaulay and Sally Verey,
for organising what she descibed as “the most
spectacular fund-raising event to raise money for
Admiral Nurses on Isle of Wight.”
Pictures by Graham Reading
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