SACKFULS of presents and more than £5,000 was raised for charity at the annual Snow Ball in Balsall Common.
The 18th annual event, hosted at Nailcote Hall Hotel Golf and Country Club saw 200 guests come together to help boost coffers at the Salvation Army to help disadvantaged children in the area on Christmas Day.
Hotelier Sue Cressman said: “I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the guests this year as well as also a local ladies fashion boutique, Melynda Jayne at The Prom House in Balsall Common, who had collected an abundance of gifts from her friends and customers.
“I am also really grateful to Bidfood Food Service who sponsored the event as well as our own Nailcote staff who bought gifts to add to the huge mountain that The Salvation Army staff collected. We knew that the Salvation Army bought along a minibus and to coin a phrase I said ‘I think you’re going to need a bigger bus!’ on which most people agreed!”
Among the guests supporting the event was 100-year-old Millie Taylor, from Essex, who made a big impression on the evening.
Sue’s husband and co-owner Rick Cressman, said: “She was dancing away to the band and even going up on stage with them at one point! When Sue and I left at 1.15am she was still going strong. And all this despite apparently having suffered from pneumonia and a broken hip earlier in the year.
“This was the first time we’ve had someone celebrating their 100th birthday here at Nailcote Hall and it was very special for Sue and I.”
The event started in typical festive fashion with The Salvation Army Band playing traditional Christmas carols while, mingling among the guests, were Christmas characters ‘The Elf on the Shelf’ and ‘The Grinch’ creating fun and photo opportunities.
A festive three-course meal was followed by cabaret courtesy of Britain’s Got Talent finalist Pippa Langhorn and the night ended with an auction, raffle and dancing to Take That tribute act Take@That before Nailcote Hall’s resident DJ Franco wrapped up the evening’s entertainment.
