Blackpool District Scouts St. Georges Day Celebrations Dinner Dance
In 2007 to celebrate 100 years of scouting started up by our founder Baden Powell, our wonderful President and much missed the late Councillor Lily Henderson MBE, wanted to say thank you to the countless volunteers, and supporters of Blackpool Scouting for the time they gave and still give so willingly to enable the young people to experience the fantastic programme of the Scout Association and provide skills for life.
Over the last 13 years prior to the pandemic, the evening has raised well over £20,000 through auctions and raffle, and many donations from elsewhere, which goes directly to support our young people and leaders on their journey through Scouting. We thank Lily for her wonderful legacy, and vision which we continue to carry on with great enthusiasm.
t was only meant to be a one-off event to be always held on or nearest date on a Friday evening to the 23rd April, being St. Georges Day, and also the Patron Saint of Scouting, chosen by our Founder himself.
The Dinner Dance was a wonderful idea of Lily, however, to launch it and make it happen each year was the incredibly hard-working team of Irene and Phil Wheatley, who were instrumental in sorting out the professional live entertainment with the help of our Toast Master George Phillips, and, also liaising with all our District guests, and their friends to sort out each individual three-course meal, purchasing, and, setting up as well as taking down all the tables and room decorations.
The Dinner Dance was so successfully received that it became an annual date in our District Calendar, with well over 200 people attending each year, in the lovely surroundings of the Matthews Lounge at Blackpool Football Club.
After two long years away, due to the pandemic, Blackpool District Scouts and their Supporters finally got back to enjoying a fabulous, and glittering evening amongst so many friends, who they had not seen for such a long time, to hold their 14th Annual
I
34
LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE
Dinner Dance, where all the money raised is for the benefit of all our young members and adult volunteers. Approximately £1,800 was raised. Two hundred and two guests in evening wear, enjoyed a three-course meal, raffle, and auction, along with live music provided by local band “Prime Mover”, and then for those who were still up to it, dancing provided by Scotties Disco. The evening was once again hosted by Toast Master George Phillips. Grateful thanks go to the management and staff of the Grand Hotel, Blackpool, and our biggest thanks go to Irene and Phil Wheatley who organised the event. Blackpool District Scout Council are truly indebted to every single donation that we receive all the yearround, so it is generic, but a VERY BIG THANK YOU, to all local businesses, and individuals who support our local Scout Movement, and please look at our website, to get a taste of all our activities, and where to join. D blackpoolscouts.org.uk F blackpoolscouts T @blackpoolscouts www.lancmag.com
