148. Treloar’s Midsummer Banquet, 12 June 2019

As part of their continued fundraising programme, Treloars School and College hold an annual Midsummer Banquet and the Mistress and I were very pleased to be able to attend this years event. Treloar’s is very worthwhile charity supporting severely disabled children at their amazing facility near Alton (see Blog No 103 for further details of their work) and has long been supported by the Lord Mayor, the wider Livery and the Water Conservators. It was a privilege therefore to be able to help further via this wonderful charity evening.

Held at The Grange (see picture) just outside Alresford we joined many other supporters, fundraisers, staff and volunteers to enjoy an evening in the beautiful Hampshire countryside. The Grange is one of the greatest examples of Greek Revival architecture left in Europe today originally having been built in the 17^th Century. It boasts a magnificent Doric portico but had been in neglect for many years. Salvaged from demolition some twenty years ago it has undergone massive refurbishment and now includes a theatre and concert hall (lots of opera!) and ‘shabby-chic’ dining facilities. It is a quite unique building and a most suitable setting. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and so the drinks reception under the Portico was both wet and cold; how we shivered in our smart evening clothes!

After some words of introduction from our m/c Mr Dickie Dazzler (I kid you not!) we were welcomed by the Chair of the Trustees and by the Artistic Director of the Grange Festival who also sang for us. Dinner then awaited in the very atmospheric dining rooms where large screens showcased the work of the School and College. They also served as the vehicle for submitting bids for the silent auction that ran throughout the whole evening. Prizes were many and varied and your Master was able to secure two nights of Glamping (hopefully NOT as pictured!) somewhere in the South East for an undisclosed donation!

The meal was delicious and well served and the conversation around the table was very congenial. And it warmed up a bit although the rain continued to fall. More speeches followed dinner and the prize raffle was drawn. Then it was outside to watch the firework display that heralded the end of this very enjoyable evening. Organisers suggested that over £22,000 had been raised on the night although final figures are awaited – a magnificent achievement.

Thank you therefore to all who worked so hard to make this such a success and to all who turned out despite the weather. It was a wonderful way to raise money for a wonderful charity and the Mistress and I will continue to support Treloars into the future after my Mastership has concluded.