Charity GalaDance 2023
All proceeds donated to charities working with dementias
Saturday 11th November 2023 – “Just One Last Dance”
Following on from the success of the last Ball in 2021, this Galadance will be the last.
After three previous wonderful evenings, raising over £25k for charity I think it is time for me to retire this format & consider “making a difference” another way.
So, with one last dance, we are hoping that we will see this year’s event beat all previous totals with our ticket sales, raffle & silent auction, to raise money for charities working to benefit people living with dementias.
Once again, as with last time, this Ball will not only will the Alzheimer’s Society benefit from half of the money raised, but a small local charity, Living Words Arts will also benefit.
Take a look at the featured video from Living Words project & check out the star of the show.
Dreams - Sometimes amongst the darker moments, our own sadness of losing someone slowly we can create a moment, hold a moment and perpetuate a simple dream to sustain some happiness in them.
Read Jacqui’s Blog on Why She Wanted to Organise a GalaDance
Special mentions to Image Ideas for all their help with the lovely mints in bags on the tables – The Alzheimer’s Society for their Table Favours for every guest – The extra help from Sarah @ Injection Developments in gathering raffle prizes & donations PLUS Dan from New Perspective Digital Print for his help with the brochures & photography backdrops.
The Evening Starts
Enter the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral, walking through the ancient Christ Church Gate, or get dropped off by taxi to the door of the Cathedral Lodge.
The reception in the Kentish Barn will be from 17:45 with guests being served a glass of bubbles as a wonderful welcome. Experiencing the wonderful voice of Jason Allen Sway – up close & personal, with his Swing & Michael Buble tribute vocals – I am a real Buble fan, so Jason never disappoints!
Starting the evening with a wonderful view of the Cathedral bathed in its Winter lights.
A wine table will be provided to allow our guests to order wine before the meal.
During the evening you will get to experience the talented Rich, The Artful Doodler
We will move to the beautiful Clagett Auditorium at 7pm, to hear a Welcome Speech, with dinner around 19:15. Enjoying a beautiful Menu for the evening produced by the Cathedral Lodge kitchen .
There are three courses plus Coffee after the meal – with options available by request for those with special dietary requirements.
We are lucky enough to have my wonderful friend, the extremely kind & talented Marc LeMezma providing magical entertainment at our tables whilst the meals are being served.
Our favourite live music, from BurstBand will be played from around 21:00 after coffees in the Kentish Barn.
The band will play popular music whilst we dance the night away until 11:00. Drawing the Raffle & presenting the Silent Auction prizes at the end of the evening with carriages collecting our guests at midnight.
Read a Blog story on relating to someone living with Dementia
Read a Blog story on The Memory Train Jacqui made for her Dad
Parking
Charity Galadance 2023 – Remember you cannot park in the Cathedral grounds, the closest carpark & gate to the grounds is Queningate Gate. Enjoy a walk through the memorial grounds to the Lodge, gates close before end of the evening. Returning to your car with a slight detour walking down to the Burgate.
Taxis are able to drive into the grounds for drop off and collection. Gentlemen you will also be allowed to drop your lovely ladies at the door before parking offsite if necessary.
Jacqui will be at the door to welcome you to the evening & look forward to seeing you all dressing up for the occasion.
Please do check the the Facebook page where we have been posting details of the raffle etc.
Where can I stay?
Would you like to stay in the grounds? Receive a special rate from the Cathedral Lodge for guests attending the GalaDance – rooms need to be booked in advance – you will need to call reception direct 01227 865350 to get this discount quoting that you are attending the GalaDance charity event.
Raffle Prizes have been donated & sponsored by a variety of local businesses without whom this event would not be a success. Jacqui is grateful for the generosity and help from everyone kind enough to present a prize or sponsorship, even if she bullied them just a little!
Below, is not an exhaustive list as prizes continue to be donated, but as at this moment its close to being the list on the tables. I would ask guests to bring their hearts, their dancing feet and their wallets with them on the night.
Raffle Prize’s & Silent Auction Items
This year, is no different from previous events, but the extensive range of prizes is truely humbling.
Here is a list of Prizes building to our 2023 event;
- Free Event Neptune Bar including £500 worth of drink – Donated by – Neptune Bar
- Weekend Fly fishing in East Sussex – Sponsored by – Endevourcom
- Specially taken framed print of Canterbury Cathedral – Donated by – Hedley Basford
- Evening meal and stay at The Dog with wine & cocktails – sponsored by JWO Solutions
- Bird Watching Experience for up to 4 People – choice of 3 local locations with experienced Twitcher – Donated by Simon Mount
- 20 Minute Helicopter Trial Flight – Donated by Polar Helicopters
- 10 x One to One Strength & Conditioning Personal Coaching sessions – Donated by Team Beaver
- Feed a Big Cat Experience at Paradise Wildlife Park – Donated by Paradise Wildlife Park
- One Hour Family Studio Photography Session, including One 10″x8″ Print – Donated by Hedley Basford
- Paul Hollywood Afternoon Tea for Two at the Big Cat Sanctuary – Sponsored by Smugshot Video Productions
- Feed a Big Cat Experience at the Big Cat Sanctuary – Sponsored by Abraflex UK Ltd
- Double Magnum of Red Wine, Signed by Chris Robshaw, former Captain of the England National Rugby Union Team – Donated by Dynamix Accountancy
- £500 Gift Voucher towards Will Writing with New Life Wills, Donated by New Life Wills
- Afternoon Champagne Tea for Four at Champneys, Eastwell Manor, Ashford – Donated by Champneys
- Joes Bows VIP Falconry Experience Voucher – Sponsored by LTR Supplies Ltd
- Matching, Classic Walnut Lamp Table & Corner TV Stand – Donated by Bradley Classic Furniture
Raffle Prizes
- Artisan Gin – Donated by Kingfisher Drinks
- Artisan Whiskey – Donated by Kingfisher Drinks
- Tattinger Champagne (x2) – Donated Kent Lifting Solutions
- Hotel Chocolat Gift Box – Donated by W Rye Tiling Ltd
- Waitrose Crate of wine – Donated by James Martin
- Boxed Chapledown Wine – Donated by The Grantsman
- Framed Painting – Donated by John Offen
- Blended Therapies Hamper – Donated by Blended Therapies
- Large Christmas Hamper – Sponsored by Group Two, Robowatch
- Potash Farm Hampers (x2) – Sponsored by Pest Busters East Kent
- Golfing Umbrellas (x2) – Donated by Furley Page
- Chapel Down Wine – Donated by Kent Recruitment Bureau
- Rose Prosecco – Donated by The Business Tamer
- Various Next Items – Donated by NEXT
- Champagne & Glass Set – Donated by Injection Development
- Boxed Warre’s Vintage Port – Donated by Pink Spaghetti PA
- Boxed Jack Daniels Whiskey – Donated by Thanet Drainage
- Whitley Neal Gift Box – Donated by Greame Jones, Gotta Love The Ugly Sausage
- Pol Roger Champagne – Donated by Julian Field
- Yummy Fudge – Donated by The Fudge Kitchen
Raffle Prizes – Vouchers
- Family Day Ticket Wildwood – Donated by Wildwood
- Hangloose Adventure, Blue Water – Donated by RAP Office Interiors
- Paul Hollywood Afternoon Tea for Two at the Big Cat Sanctuary – Sponsored by SMR
- £100 Sheldon Spa Voucher – Donated by Sheldon Spa
- £300 Alloy Wheel Painting – Donated Perrys Canterbury
- Full machine car polish – Donated by Panel Care
- 3 Course Lunch or Dinner at the Pig Hotels – Sponsored by Sibley Pares
- Afternoon Tea for Two – Mount Ephraim – Donated by Mount Ephraim Gardens
- Family Season Ticket 2024 – Donated by Mount Ephraim Gardens
- £100 Voucher for Meal for 2 The Dove – Donated by The Dove
- 4 Ball 9 Hole Voucher – Donated by Manston Golf Centre
- One Hour Golf Lesson Voucher – Donated by Manston Golf Centre
- Joes Bows Laser Clay Shooting – Donated by Joes Bows
- Canterbury Cathedral Lodge stay for 2 – Donated by Cathedral Lodge
- Wine Estate Tour & Tasting for 2 – Donated by Balfour Winery
- Complimentary Boat Trip for up to 12 Passengers – March 24 season – Donated by Canterbury Historic River Tours
- One Hour Family Photo Shoot & £100 voucher towards digital package – Donated by Portland Studios
- Free Voice Lesson & Discount for Further Lessions – Donated by Laure Meloy, Femme Lunatique Productions
- 2 Panto Tickets at the Marlowe – Sponsored by Boss Plant Hire
- Boiler Service with C&S Heating& Plumbing – Donated by C&S Heating& Plumbing
- Voucher for 2 Course meal with Glass of wine for two – Basil & Co Ristorante
- £150 Voucher for a full service against any make or model – Injection Development
- Afternoon tea for two with a glass of prosecco at Sheldon Spa – Sponsored by Dee Bateman
- A vineyard tour for four people at Gusbourne Vineyard – Donated by Gusbourne Vineyard
- Four tickets for Live At The Marlowe in 2025 – Donated by The Marlowe Theatre
Read about the success of the last Galadance 2016 here
Read about the success of the last Galadance 2018 here
Read about the success of the last 2021 event here in Jacqui’s Soapbox
Thanks you to Tamara Barnes – That Extra Special Touch, Rich Broome Photography, The Cathedral Lodge Catering & Event Team, The boys from Burstband, The Artful Doodler & the very talented Marc LeMezma.