HOSPITAL BALL

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 60, 8 September 1945, Page 12

HOSPITAL BALL

1200 DANCERS

ALL SERVICES REPRESENTED

The annual hospital services ball, which took place ior The second time in the Town Hall last evening, was a distinct success both socially and financially and as a result, both child and adult patients will benefit, as proceeds are to be devoted to the work of the hospital's entertainment committee.

Nurses, members of the medical and office staffs and all departments of the hospital were represented in the crowd of 1200 which thronged the Town Hall. A decoration scheme which took a team of 12 helpers, directed by Mr. V. A. Ward, the greater part of two days to complete, transformed the bare walls and galleries of the hall into a setting of colour and beauty. Wide swathes of red, white, and blue muslin formed a canopy overhead and veiled the front of the stage and the gallery, a large-sized reproduction of the nursing medallion centring the back of the stage and appearing in smaller replicas in other parts of the hall. Leafy trellis entwined with feathery iycopodium and scattered with coloured paper flowers screened the alcoves. Corsage sprays of every colour and combination, which had been made in the afternoon by a band of voluntary helpers under the' direction of Mrs. Knox Gilmer and Miss E. Cooper, found a ready market among the dancers, and with the profusion of flame-coloured poppies banking the stage, gave t the gathering the appearance of a festival of flowers.

Added colour was provided by members of the Police Pipe Band who, in full Highland costume, piped themselves into the hall early in the evening and gave their services generously by playing for extras and during supper. Among those in the official-' party were the host and hostess, Mr. H. F. Toogood, chairman of the Hospital Board, and Mrs. Toogood, the Mayor and Mrs. Appleton, Dr. J. Cairney, superintendent-in-chief, and Mrs. Cairney, Dr. P. Benham, superintendent of Silverstream Hospital, and Mrs. Benham, Miss B. Clarke, matron-in-chief, and Miss M. Langer, matron of Silverstream Hospital. Mr. George Miller's orchestra provided music for both old-time and modern dances, a feature of the programme being a lucky Monte Carlo for which the prize was dinner for four at the Hotel St. George.

Bright diversions also were floor shows by nine girls and nine boys, all pupils of Miss Joan Raine, who danced two ballets. . A buffet supper was served in the Concert Chamber, Miss I. Allen being in charge of the catering. Mr K. N. K. Huffam was chairman of the ball committee, Mr. C. E. Winspear in charge of staffing committees, Mr. J. C. M. Futter secretary (also in charge of invitations), and Mr. F. Eller M.C. ■