Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Centenary Ball review

Just a word of thanks to Phil Merriam, Sue Shanahan and Fran Nel for organising such a tremendous Centenary Ball at King's College, Cambridge on 27 March. Over 300 people - parents, friends, old girls, staff and governors - attended the glittering event that marked a highlight of the Schools Centenary Year.

Save for the 45 lost souls on Coach Number 1, who spent an interesting early part of the evening circumnavigating mid Essex trying to bypass a huge traffic jam on the M11, the evening began with champagne and canapes and entertainment from our own Cantatrici. To see a reminder of the evening the photographs are available now on the school website or direct from the photographers - www.dumbletons.com/cchs.htm.

After a slight delay, awaiting the wayward coach, we all sat down to an excellent meal, very efficiently served in beautiful surroundings, and accompanied by a cappella singers - Collegium Regale - in the minstrels gallery, and by a very generous and seemingly everlasting half bottle of wine per person. David Bebb, Chairman of Governors welcomed a number of honoured guests, including Dame Margaret Anstee in a stunning yellow gown and her guest, historian and writer Sir Roy Strong.

After the meal we enjoyed an auction of promises handled deftly by Tim Trembath of Mullucks Wells in Great Dunmow in which a variety of very attractive lots including golfing tuition, a Florida villa holiday, and a box at Ascot generated a frenzy of bidding from almost all of the tables that often seemed to be in competition with each other. Very many thanks again to those very generous individuals who donated such very extravagant gifts.

After the auction, the Great Hall was cleared to make way for the 'Counterfeit Beatles', and the dancing that followed. Whilst the ball gowns and black tie dress was strongly in evidence, the dancing was more jive, shake' and hokey-cokey than foxtrot and Viennese Waltz. Carriages (and coaches) arrived at about 1am and revellers made their weary way home.

In addition to ensuring a very memorable celebration of the school's Centenary, the net profit of the auction on the evening, was a staggering £6,590 which will be added to the Music Appeal fund. Readers may have noticed that construction started on the music centre just before Easter and completion is expected by October. The organising committee have decided that the profits from the Ball will fund a permanent awning between the school and the music centre that in itself will provide a reminder of the centenary.

Steve Przybylski, Chair - Music Matters Appeal

For guests wishing to purchase photographs please log onto www.dumbletons.com/cchs.htm and order directly.