Midsummer's Night 2003 marked a new departure for our Annual Ball: foregoing the cavern - like Great Room of the Grosvenor for the first floor ballroom of the London Hilton on Park Lane was but one of the changes; midsummer now takes preference over 'around Easter'; and, with only the major prize to be drawn, entertainment was non-stop.
The fun began as guests enjoyed their pre-dinner drinks in the glittering ballroom. Magicians, those eye - deceiving sleight-of- hand merchants, fooled all of the arriving guests each and every time. On behalf of our Club, members and their guests were welcomed by Chairman of Council, Robert Smith, in a short speech which included thanks to The London Hilton on Park Lane, Building Magazine, and other event sponsors for making the evening possible.
High on that list was was BT Retail in the person of Val Jackson, General Marketing Manager. BT have continued with their traditional support for the top prize, which this time around was a Vauxhall Corsa. Handling machinery manufacturers Manitou presented Robert with a £1,000 donation to our Fund.
Then over five hundred Lighthouse Club members and their guests, including key figures in the construction industry, turned to enjoying a fantastic evening full of fun and entertainment.
After a game of 'kings and queens,' the raffle was drawn for the Corsa. Dinner was served to the performance of award-winning entertainers, 'The Three Waiters', a comedy opera act which had guests giggling over the tasty gourmet fayre. Following dinner, people adjourned to the bar area and gaming tables, where a Las Vegas-style atmosphere reigned. "We're here to have fun" said Robert. Hays Montrose sponsored a lighthouse vodka luge where guests were invited to donate £1 for a shot, and prizes were awarded for the best gamblers. Dancing got underway around 10 pm to the fabulous band 'Space Boogie', with a disco playing during intervals and late into the evening.
Guests enjoyed themselves so much that many needed to be ushered out at 1 am when the disco stopped! No question that the Midsummer Ball in aid of The Lighthouse Club was a huge success and enjoyed by all who attended.
Thanks go to: sponsor and host, the London Hilton on Park Lane for providing a spectacular venue for the event, and to the following sponsors for contributing to a very special night:The Construction Worker's Guild, JCB, Options Employment, British Telecom, Speedy Hire, Clancy Docwra, Building Magazine, Hawk Plant Hire, Hays Montrose, Manitou and Vauxhall.