On Saturday 24 February, Willersey came together for a fantastic night of food, live music, dancing, fun and games in the village hall in aid of Campden Home Nursing and Cheltenham Hospital Oncology unit.
With a glass of fizz in hand and in a hall transformed with subtle lighting and décor by Wendy Riley & Heather Lishman, attendees listened to an introductory talk by Helen Makaritis from Campden Home Nursing, before tucking into a 2-course, home-cooked, candle-lit meal, delivered to their tables by a team of young people from the village.
After supper, members of the Wainwright & Akerman families took to the stage with their band ‘Main Street’, joined by guests Julie & Lily Belle Wood, Robert Chadburn, Sheila & Robert Pitt. Their two crowd-pleasing half hour sets included hits by ABBA, Dolly Parton, Chuck Berry & Oasis & they had the audience singing along enthusiastically to Sea Shanties by The Longest Johns and Smokie’s Living Next Door to Alice.
During the break between sets, a game of ‘reverse bingo’ provided further entertainment, as did ‘Beer-pong’ in the bar and a 3-dimensional treasure map built from scratch by 13-year-old Anika Pitt. The event and supporting on-line auction raised £4,300 which will be shared between the respective charities.
Campden Home Nursing and Cheltenham oncology are grateful to everyone who bought a ticket and especially to Bev Clough, the inspiration behind the partnership, and all those who gave their time and talents for free to make it such a special and successful night.
Photos kindly supplied by Garry and Natacha Murphy of Cotswold Photographers Ltd