'A great do for a great Mayor'

Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Keith Swift and Ms Sue Etchells - The Mayor's Charity Ball 2009

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More than 250 people joined the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale last night (Saturday 7 February) for the annual Mayor's Charity Ball.

Guests were welcomed with a drinks reception before moving onto the Great Hall for a five course meal.

Entertainment was provided by the Lancashire Fusiliers Band, The Rochdale Youth Orchestra String Quartet, 'Quartz', and The Big Shot Swing Orchestra.

Before dancing the night away, the guests, including local business owners, councillors, MPs and civic mayors from other boroughs, took part in a charity auction and a raffle. Prizes include a weekend break at a Best Western Hotel, a pre match meal for two people at Rochdale Football Club at any home game, a suit from Denis Hope, a set of crystal wine glasses and much more.

All the funds raised from the very glamorous evening, will go to the Mayor's Charities: Rochdale Music Service, The Back Door Music Project and Rochdale Youth Orchestra.

The Mayor, Councillor Keith Swift, was also presented with a surprise birthday cake, following celebrating his birthday last week.

The Mayor and Mayoress, Sue Etchells, dazzled the crowd with their dancing, which they had been practising specially for the occasion.

Mayor Swift thoroughly enjoyed the Ball: “It has been a fabulous night; I am really pleased with all the support I have had for my charities, it has been tremendous throughout the year. The support tonight from local businesses has been great, everybody has been really generous.”

Mayoress Etchells was thrilled at the turn out, she said: “It is lovely to see so many family and friends supporting us tonight, as well as the civic heads from the neighbouring boroughs.

“The staff at the Town Hall have done an excellent job and delivered a wonderful evening, thank you to them all.”

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: “Tonight has been excellent, Keith has raised an awful lot of money for his charities which are targeted at young people, I am delighted.”

Middleton and Heywood MP Jim Dobbin said: “It is great to have a night off and relax in such good company for a worthy cause.

“It is great to see that the Mayor is so well supported.”

Amongst the guests was Julie Todd from Chadderton, who has taught the Mayor and Mayoress to dance over the past two months so that they would be prepared for the waltz at the ball, she said: “I met Keith in August and we discussed dancing lessons, it really went from there and he has done a fabulous job tonight.”

John Kay, a member of the Mayor's Charity Committee, summed up the evening with the words that were on everybody lips: “A great do for a great Mayor.”