Cricket club summer ball piles on the fun

HENLEY Cricket Club held its annual summer ball on Saturday.

About 150 people attended the black tie event held at a marquee on the Henley Royal Regatta site.

It was attended by players, officials and their friends and families.

The event included a champagne reception, three-course meal, raffle and performances by Replica Radio and former Stranglers singer Paul Roberts. David Winter, chairman of fund-raising at the club, organised the event with Danny Hall and Heather Simpkin.

Mr Winter said: “It was stunning. We had an excellent meal provided by our new caterers Emily Rait.

“After the meal it was dancing to the band. The raffle was fantastic. All the prizes were donated by local companies who are always very generous to us.”

The money raised by the ball will go towards paying off £56,000 of the loan from Henley Town Council used to help to buy the Brakspear Ground in 2005.

The club’s next fund-raising event is its sportsman’s dinner at Phyllis Court Club on October 7 where the guest speaker will be former England batsman Mark Ramprakash.