Page 76 - Old Ratcliffian 2020 Edition

RATCLIFFE’S PAST RATCLIFFE’S PAST REMEMBERING RATCLIFFE’S SUMMER BALL

The fi rst Ratcliffe Summer Ball took place on September 6th 1985, after a suggestion from the Ratcliffi an fi rst Ratcliffe Summer Ball took place on September 6th 1985, after a suggestion from the Ratcliffi an
The
Association’s Social Committee. It was designed not only to act as a fundraiser for the College, but also to t as a fundraiser for the College, but also to
Association’s Social Committee. It was designed not only to ac
showcase
showcase Ratcliffe to a larger audience, enabling prospective pupils’ parents to get a feel for the school and Ratcliffe to a larger audience, enabling prospective pupils’ parents to get a feel for the school and
what it could offer their children. The ball continued biennially, gradually increasing in size, and the money , gradually increasing in size, and the money
what it could offer their children. The ball continued biennially
raised paid for improvements in the Square, and the Ratcliffi an Association’s headquarters and bar, along vements in the Square, and the Ratcliffi an Association’s headquarters and bar, along
raised paid for impro
with other projects.
The Summer Balls were organised by a committee of just four people: Richard Gamble (64), Joe Massarella (54), Richard Gamble (64), Joe Massarella (54),
Jackie Gamble, and myself. Each member of the committee had their own responsibilities, and they were able to
Jackie Gamble, and myself. Each member of the committee had their own responsibilities, and they were able to
make decisions and delegate as necessary
make decisions and delegate as necessary. We decided to use several different areas of the school each time, with . We decided to use several different areas of the school each time, with
each one having a different theme. There was always a marquee in the Square and a disco in the Refectory, but one having a different theme. There was always a marquee in the Square and a disco in the Refectory, but
each
we also used some of the rooms along the corridor. The marquees varied from Spanish (red and y
we also used some of the rooms along the corridor. The marquees varied from Spanish (red and yellow, complete ellow, complete
with fl amenco dancers) to French (red, white, and blue, with fl amenco dancers) to French (red, white, and blue,
complete with can-can dancers). The Refectory had complete with can-can dancers). The Refectory had
2001: A Space Odyssey as its theme on one occasion, as its theme on one occasion,
ECHOES FROM while the Old Library had a string quartet one year, while the Old Library had a string quartet one year,
35 YEARS and a live Irish ceilidh band another. The Masters’
Common Room and the present-day Conference
Room became a wine bar, a French bistro, or, one year,
I remember, I remember, the Ratcliffe a pub, with one of the guests playing the piano for a
Summer Ball, very popular singsong for several hours! In addition,
Sheer elegance and extravagance are the smaller areas, such as the corridor near the Refectory,
features I recall. were often transformed into Italian trattorias. Guests
were able to wander around the different areas and
The idea was to raise some cash by the
Association, avail themselves of any entertainment or music that
they chose.
On impressive scale, to make a splash,
provoke anticipation. The excellent caterers, consisting of the lecturers
and students from Loughborough Catering College,
I remember, I remember, coming produced a wonderful three-course meal each time: a starter, which was
through the door, followed by a magnifi cent buffet, and then a choice of sweets. Cheese and fruit
tables were placed in various spots for people to help themselves. There were
Garlands of leaves, bowers of fl owers, several fully stocked bars, and there were wine stations as well. As the balls were
rising from the fl oor.
always held on the Friday before the start of the Autumn Term, we had two days
Groaning tables, wheatsheaf loaves, to set them up and one day to clear them away; often, some of the overseas
enormous stacks of cheese, students and local pupils were drafted in to help, along with family and friends
Sculpted butter and sculpted ice, of the committee and some of the school staff.
so many delights to tease.
The guest list increased a lot over the years, and in 1993, we held the largest
Summer Ball ever; there were 763 guests, many having travelled a long way to
I remember, I remember, Arabian be there. We had two marquees that year: an Arabian Nights-themed one in the
Nights or bistro, Square (with a starlit ceiling, stilt walkers, fi re eaters, and belly dancers), and
Rooms with different music and themes, an Irish-themed one on the edge of the cricket fi eld (in green, white, and gold).
string quartet or disco. Other rooms included Café René, Casablanca, and a ship, and the Refectory
Glass in hand, we strolled around, became the Cavern Club for the evening. It was certainly a night to remember,
amazed by the variety, and we raised £13,000! We held just one further Summer Ball, on September 1st
Of style, and chat, and food, and fun, 1995 – our swansong. We had had a lot of fun during those ten years and the six
in cordial society. Summer Balls, and we had raised a lot of money, but by then, it was time for us to
step down and let others take over.
I remember, I remember, dancing Angela Murphy
the night away, Summer Ball Committee member and wife of Bernard Murphy (67)
Waltzing and bopping, singing and
rocking, ‘til nothing left to say.
Gather our group; coats on; thank you;
good night and so well done,
I remember the invite said clearly,
“Carriages at One”.

Michael Heath (56)
(with apologies to Thomas Hood)
76 The Old Ratcliffi an 2020