Butterfly ball a smashing success

11:34am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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ALMOST 450 people danced the night away at the biennial Butterfly Ball near Marlborough on Saturday raising an expected £20,000 for cancer and leukaemia charities.

This was the third Butterfly Ball to be held at Barbury Castle by kind invitation of estate owner Nigel Bunter.

They are organised by Caroline Quinton-Smith from Great Bedwyn who got the idea after a huge party held in London for her husband's 35th birthday was a massive success.

She organised occasional charity balls in the Newbury area before coming up with the idea of the Butterfly Ball.

She said she hoped Saturday's event would raise about £20,000, the same as the last Butterfly Ball two years ago.

People from as far away as London and the South Coast bought tickets for the event that was a sell-out weeks in advance.

Entertainment was by the Bogus Brothers band and, local singer songwriter Nick Harper and Glen Tilbrook who was a member of the 70's band Squeeze.

Jeremy Sumbler's Copvered Occasions provided the huge marquee from Avebury and catering was by Sue Brady from Ramsbury.

The charities that will benefit from the ball are: Macmillan Cancer Support CLIC Sargent and the Love, Hope, Strength Foundation.

Mrs Quinton-Smith said: "We hope to raise £20,000 but we will not know the final figure until all the bills come in."