The venue for the 4th Hereford Dinner Dance was a beautifully converted barn and marquee at Lyde Arundel Farm. Owned by Rob and Karen Watkins, Lyde Arundel’s stunning location overlooks the city of Hereford and on to the Black Mountains.

270 guests were welcomed by Sue Green and Keith Benjamin – members of Spinal Research WMB’s Steering Committee and directed through to the high roofed, converted barn to enjoy a glass of Champagne served by Tim Green, Joan Boden, Di Stevens, Polly Morgan, her friend Lucy, and Chrissy Prydun.

As the merriment grew, the guests were invited by MC, Ben Matthews, to make their way to their tables as dinner was about to be served. The main attraction on the tables were the flowers which had been lovingly arranged by Anna Martin and had been driven by her husband Sammy all the way from Hampshire that day – with 27 tables this was no mean feat. Photos taken on the night by budding photographer Hannah Benjamin can be viewed here.

After grace, delivered by John Von Anrep, President of Hereford Lions, dinner got under way. Bishops Catering from Upton-on-Severn produced a mouth watering buffet that left the guests hard pushed to make a choice from the variety of dishes available. Our wine bar, manned by Alison Green, Vicky Cook and Abbey Price was going strong and The Hereford Lions did a sterling job of making sure everyone was well watered.

As the last of the desserts were being served, Colin delivered his welcome speech, having been introduced by Vice Admiral Sir John Dunt KCB – a patron of The Driving Home Expedition. Bill Jackson, our esteemed auctioneer began the auction - this was the second time Bill had been our auctioneer – the first being in the Long Room at Lords Cricket Ground. Bill last year. He did a sterling job, moving quickly through eighteen fantastic donated lots, including a holiday to Kenya, two separate holiday cottages and several once in a lifetime opportunities to name but a few. Bill was supported by Di Stevens, Lucy Hawkins, Sue Green and Keith Benjamin who were running the essential paper work and monetary trail that goes hand in hand with running a well organised auction.

Colloosion, Herefordshire’s leading party band, were biting at the bit to get started and the cue for them to commence came as the hammer went down for the final lot. They certainly didn’t disappoint and by the time the first song ended the dance floor was full to overflowing. The dancing only came to a brief halt as the raffle prizes were drawn, which gave the guests a chance to win £250 in cash; a hand made lioness and cub made by an ex POW of Japan; a bouquet of flowers and theatre tickets.

Carriages at 1.00 a.m. ferried the guests home. It had been a fantastic night; the guests’ generosity raised £11,000; a fantastic contribution to Spinal Research.

Colin would like to convey specials thanks for everybody’s contribution to a fantastic night but in particular he would like to thank the Steering Committee members, The Hereford Lions, Bill Jackson, Hannah Benjamin, Rob and Karen Watkins at Lyde Arundel, Bishops Catering, the wine sellers, Lucy Hawkins, Anna Martin and Val Javens for making the night the success it was.

Colin made a round trip of almost 300 miles to Petersfield on the 24th January to speak to the pupils at Ditcham Park School. After hearing Colin’s story  Ditcham Park decided to support Colin’s cause of raising money for Spinal Research by organising two “Mufti” days in their spring term. Colin is incredibly grateful to Ditcham Park, a reasonably small school, for raising a staggering £708.

“It was your personal visit to the school, meeting and talking to our pupils with both candour and good humour, that set the scene for our fundraising efforts”
Rob Connolly, Deputy Headteacher.

On the 13th March Colin presented his talk to the pupils at The Cheltenham Ladies' College. Below is an extract from a review of Colins talk that was taken from The Cheltenham Ladies' College 'News' section of their website: -

"Colin was an extremely engaging and humorous speaker, unafraid to share the more embarrassing aspects of his experience in order to help us to step into his ‘body'...It was “refreshing” to hear from someone who was not the foremost professional or academic in his field, but had a profound personal experience to share. It really put things into perspective for me. . read more "

Over 100 people skipped and dosey-doed to the hauntingly beautiful Ceilidh music at the Wellington Community Centre on Saturday night. 

The reassuringly traditional, almost timeless music of the Tunewrights Band created great bonhomie and joie de vivre amongst the dancers, most of whom were not aficionados, but whose great enjoyment was hugely evident as well as giving cause for great hilarity amongst the spectators.

The Tunewrights, a band of extremely talented young people, ranging from 11 to 16, provided the evocative music; the moves being called by their Leader Andy Davies.  Events like the Ceilidh are used as workshops for this young band; real life procedures at which they can build up their experience and expertise.  And experts they were – the two youngest in the group were only 11 years old, but their breadth of ability, being able to skilfully play more than one instrument each, was simply amazing.

As with everything we raise, the total proceeds of over £1,000 will go to the research into the repair of the injured spinal cord.

So, not only did everyone have a very good time, but a significant amount was raised for the cause.

Dear Colin,

I just wanted to say an enormous THANKYOU for coming to The Paragon and delivering the most superb assembly I have heard in years - inspirational and deeply moving. So many staff and children were really affected by it and there has been considerable chat since.

Well done and thankyou - you really made a huge impression on this school. Do stay in touch. You would always be very welcome to drop in if you're ever in this part of the world.

Very best wishes,

Titus Mills

Headmaster
The Paragon School

Bath

Emirates Stadium Visited as Preparation for The Cranfield Sportsman's Dinner Gets Under Way

With Colin behind the wheel of his adapted van and Val in the navigator's seat they set off in the early hours of Tuesday 22nd  Jan, destined for the Emirates Stadium in London - home to Arsenal Football Club. Following on from last years atmospheric Sportsman’s Dinner in the Long Room at Lords Cricket Ground it was decided that the Royal Oak Suit at the Emirates Stadium would be a fitting venue to continue the sporting theme of the Cranfield Sportsman's Dinner.

On arrival Colin and Val met up with Vinayak and Phillip - this year's Cranfield MBA students who are helping to organise the fundraising event. It wasn't long before they were being shown around the second layer of the 60,000 seating capacity stadium that overlooked an immaculate football pitch with the bright green of the pitch contrasting with the dazzling red seats. Overlooking the pitch made them feel like they were in a modern day gladiatorial coliseum yet the design of the stadium gave them an intermit feeling like they were sitting on the pitch side with the imaginary players at a mere arm's length away. Minutes later and they where in the surronds of the Royal Oak Suit being shown the layout of the room for the dinner. They all came away very satisfied and primed for the organisational task ahead. If you would like to attend or you would like some more info please contact Colin or Val or view the Cranfield Sportsman's Dinner website.