TIME FOR NORFOLK’S FARMERS TO HAVE A BALL
Norfolk’s rural social highlight of the year takes place on Friday 26th June, when the annual Norfolk Show Ball takes place, this year in aid of the Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind.
The charity plans to challenge guests to explore their senses as they enjoy the fun, with an evening highlighting the smells, tastes and textures that blind people often have to rely on to compensate for their lack of sight.
Taking place at the Royal Norfolk Showground, the glittering event includes a glamorous drinks reception, delicious four course meal, and dancing into the small hours to a live band – as well as all sorts of other entertainment.
Dance music for the evening will be provided by top pop and rock 10-piece band Excite, who specialise in 60s and 70s favourites, and wowed last year's ball audience with their ‘wall of sound’ approach to a memorable after-dinner knees up.
And adding a touch of class to the proceedings will be the male tenor quartet, Ff4issimo whose members have appeared in countless West End shows including Cats, Starlight Express and Phantom of the Opera. The not-to-be-missed foursome have a repertoire ranging from Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody to light opera classics and are guaranteed to raise the roof.
The ball also features a pre-meal drinks reception, perfect on a warm summer's evening and the ideal place to ‘see and be seen’, catch up with old friends and maybe meet some new ones.
As for the dinner itself, organisers have constructed a mouth-watering four-course meal, with fresh, locally-grown produce at its heart.
Main sponsors for the ball are East Anglia-based financial services group NW Brown, which has agreed a substantial donation to allow the NNAB to cover some of the upfront costs of the ball, held at the Norfolk Showground a few days ahead of the annual Royal Norfolk Show.
NNAB chief executive Max Marriner said, “Norfolk's hard working farming community rarely gets the chance to let its hair down. But the annual Norfolk Show Ball is a must for the industry to wine, dine and dance the night away.
“When you're up to your wind-swept wellies in mud and muck, it's not easy to dream of warm summer evenings, a glass of fizz, good food, good music and good company.
“Predominantly we're planning a great summer night, but if we can make people think a bit as well, it's no bad thing and should add to the experience.”
There are just a few tickets left for the main event of the county’s summer. Individual tickets are £75 each, or tables of eight, ten or 12 people can be booked. To book, email bookings@softleyevents.co.uk, or call 01603 757658.