23rd June - Northern Lights Summer Ball - Wakefield

I met Brian at Piccadilly Station and we had a good train journey to Wakefield. We checked into the Travelodge and found that the rooms were quite spacious. By coincidence we met Chris in the foyer and he offered to give us a lift to the Cedar Court hotel where the ball was taking place. Once we arrived there we had a look around to see if we could find anyone else. We found Keith in the gym and returned to the foyer where we met Sandra and looked at the plan for the evening. As I have now joined the Northern Lights Committee, I was asked to help out on the desk taking people's details. We then went up to look at the room which was quite large. The tables were on one side of the room laid with blue and white tablecloths and candlelabra and the dance floor was on the other. We returned to our hotel to get changed and left the others to put the finishing touches to the room.
I met up with Brian in the foyer and we took a taxi down to the Cedar Court. When we reached the Rowan Suite we saw that all the baloons were in place and the band were starting to set up. I sat down with Keith who was wearing his kilt (!) and we started to book people in as they turned up. I was pleased to see quite a few familiar faces including Leanne who I had talked to about the ball when I last saw her at 25+ and a few people I met at the Halifax day. Everyone looked great in their ball gowns and suits.
When the band started their first number, Chris led me onto the dance floor for the first dance. Despite being the only ones on the dance floor I think I did quite well and we certainly had quite a few compliments afterwards. After a couple more numbers they announced that the food was ready. The buffet was excellent - there was dim sum,samosas, pizza, sandwiches and salad. I chatted to a few others at our table including Caroline, Rob and Liz who I met at Chris's party. When the meal had finished, we had what Paula called "Death by Notices(!)" when all the forthcoming events were announced. Sandra, Chris and Keith were presented with wine and flowers and thanked for all the effort they had put into planning the ball. We then had the ice-breaker activity. We opened the envelopes we had received when we walked in and split into groups to answer the questions inside which included "What would you do if you won £1 million?" and "Describe you ideal house." It certainly got everyone talking.
After this the band started up again and the floor soon filled up. As well as the usual dances they decide to include a barn dance which was a bit chaotic, a St Bernard's waltz and the Gay Gordons. I even managed to have a go at "Double Trouble" with another girl and Chris. I think we did ok, considering it was my first attempt.
By the end of the evening, I was pretty shattered after all the dancing. When the party was over I helped to tidy up. Everyone said they had had a briliant evening.
We went outside to find that it was raining but even I didn't mind as I needed cooling down. Chris drove Peter,Brian and I back to the hotel and we arranged to meet for breakfast at 9 the next morning.
In all it was a great evening - the best ball I have been to.