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Home  >  Blog  >  You shall go to the ball…

You shall go to the ball…

Trish Burgess Posted on27/06/201307/03/2019 Lincolnshire, Spalding 20 Comments
From Mrs O to Mrs Ooh

It took a lot less than a pumpkin, a few mice and a Fairy Godmother to change me from the daft old bat with hump and varicose veins (my Acorn Antiques character) to the respectable lady with painted nails and floaty frock.

I had about an hour, the time available between returning home from the BritMums Live conference and leaving for the Spalding Midsummer Ball. I had no time to visit the hairdresser or do much beautifying beyond a quick shower and a bit of lippy. It’s just as well the photo on the right is slightly blurred: soft focus is the way to go.

Our annual charity shindig had the theme of Fire and Ice. The committee once again surpassed themselves with a stunning event. The room was decked out with icicles hanging from the ceiling, silver table-cloths, centrepieces featuring blocks of ice and tea-lights, funky, transparent chairs and an elaborate lighting rig which thrust itself into the room like an exploding firework.

Mobile phone shots from the Spalding Midsummer Ball

Entertainment this year was the best yet. For starters we had Snowglobe Dancers and Juggling Inferno before the main course, the hugely talented RPJ Band fronted by Rick Parfitt Junior. If ever you need a rock band for an event then you can’t top this bunch. Session musicians who normally play for Lily Allen, The Wanted, Robbie Williams and Lady Gaga, they are seriously good. The dance floor was packed all night with a crowd who jumped, shouted and sang despite being dressed in their best bib and tucker and tottering on high heels. Their sex certainly was on fire…

We didn’t bid for anything in the auction this year but had a flutter on the gift trees: £10 a shot for a guaranteed gift. Our ‘prizes’ this year included a set of wine glasses partnered with a bottle of 2003 Rioja. Was that a good year? We also took home the table gifts which this year, very appropriately, were potted chilli pepper plants. At least I do hope they were gifts or I’ve inadvertently snaffled the table decoration.

The cocktail bar was as popular as ever and, as I was driving, it was great to be able to sup decent non-alcoholic drinks (strawberry mohitos) rather than nurse an orange juice all evening. Those drinking indulged in a vodka luge which I gather was a blast but much of the vodka ran down your cheek if you didn’t position yourself correctly.

Food was tasty and served at the table which was much easier than queuing up a table at a time. A great deal of entertainment value came from the individual Baked Alaskas for pud. The ice cream was frozen solid so friends on our table were only successful in eating it if they used a knife and fork or plunged a fork in it to turn it into a rather delicious ice-lolly. The secret was to just wait a few minutes…

The committee think they will raise about £30,000 for the charities Action Research, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Pilgrim Hospital Bereavement Fund, Boston. Very impressive.

Cinderella left the party after midnight and is pleased to report that she retained both silver slippers and, to her husband’s delight, did not revert back to her alter ego as the clock struck 12.

 

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Next Article Unusual things to do on holiday with Jonathan Ross and me.

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20 Comments

  1. Very Bored in Catalunya Reply
    27/06/2013 at 2:11 pm

    Aww you look fab, but absolutely hilarious as Mrs O. Busy old weekend eh!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      27/06/2013 at 3:16 pm

      I had a constant headache but it was worth it. Great weekend.

      Was tempted to put my gold leggings on under the dress and flash 'em every so often.

  2. BavarianSojourn Reply
    27/06/2013 at 2:14 pm

    Sounds amazing… After that jam packed weekend I would have needed to sleep for a week! You look fab too! 🙂 x

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      27/06/2013 at 3:17 pm

      Funny you should say that but today I feel completely wiped. It's taken a few days for all the shenanigans to catch up with me. zzzzzzzzzzzzz

  3. Sarah Reply
    27/06/2013 at 5:10 pm

    These fun things always come at once don't they. Nothing happens for a while and then you have to fit in a whole bunch of stuff you don't want to miss into a couple of weeks.

    You look fab in your dress, soft focus is so kind, but I'm sure you looked great without. 🙂

    The photos of the event are amazing. Such creativity. Brilliant!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      28/06/2013 at 7:15 am

      I was convinced the ball was on a different weekend as it was last year. Shame they weren't spaced out.

      Dress was actually purple, looks blue in the photo. Yes, will go for the blurred look more often.

      They are clever – each year they transform an old shed into a masterpiece.

  4. Troy Reply
    27/06/2013 at 7:44 pm

    Not quite as daring as Holly Willoughby's dress for the final of The Voice but probably a safer bet in Spalding!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      28/06/2013 at 7:18 am

      I have a black dress which Is similar in style to the one Holly wore – I just don't fill it in quite the same way.

  5. MsCaroline Reply
    27/06/2013 at 8:35 pm

    Ha! Love the contrast between those photos, and am very impressed at how well you 'clean up' – you look gorgeous!!! (Robert's right – hard to believe it's the same person.) Looks like it was a wonderful time, but I'm sure you're ready for a week or so of peace and quiet.

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      28/06/2013 at 7:20 am

      I was so grateful people didn't come up and 'recognise' me: that would have cut deep!

      Have had a much easier week since then, thankfully.

  6. Mary Reply
    28/06/2013 at 6:40 am

    You look absolutely stunning in the ballgown…..but that photo of you in character as Mrs O is just brilliant! Love it! Wow, what a hectic weekend you had. Have you recovered yet?

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      28/06/2013 at 7:22 am

      Thank you, Mary x
      The Mrs O outfit got a cheer when I walked out on stage wearing it. I had to tap dance in it too.
      Sunday was a bit of a blur, compounded by a headache and general sinus discomfort.

  7. Steve Reply
    28/06/2013 at 6:43 am

    My but you brush up rather nicely, m'dear!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      28/06/2013 at 7:23 am

      Why thank you, kind gent.

  8. Funky Wellies Reply
    28/06/2013 at 7:02 am

    What an action packed weekend. You look stunning and you obviously had a ball! Apologies for the lame joke, I am not at my best in the morning… ;o)
    Is this weekend going to be a bit quieter? xx

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      28/06/2013 at 7:24 am

      Yes this weekend we are doing nothing. I think the weather may be kind so I may slump in the garden.

  9. Sarah Ebner Reply
    28/06/2013 at 2:25 pm

    Fabulous pictures!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      28/06/2013 at 3:59 pm

      It's the gold leggings that really caught your eye, be honest Sarah 😉

  10. Curry Queen Reply
    02/07/2013 at 5:02 pm

    What a busy weekend – bet you were knackered by the end of it! Mind you, the ball looks fab – how creative is your committee?!

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