Ninth year for 'Ascot at Nutters'

Cheque presentation at Ascot Ladies Day fundraiser for the NSPCC; Penelope Pace - Chairman of the Rochdale NSPCC Branch; Nicki McGill owner of Fisherfield Farm Nurseries; Liz Jackson from Fisherfields Farm Nurseries

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The Rochdale Branch of the NSPCC held its annual “Ascot at Nutters” event at Nutters Restaurant in Norden on Thursday 20 June 2013.

This is the ninth year that this event has been held and it was attended by 169 supporters of whom over 160 were ladies dressed in their finest as would be appropriate for the real Ascot.

A reception with a fizzy drink was a fitting start to such a prestigious event and professional photographers studio was set up adjoining the restaurant area to produce quality images of the ladies in their splendour. Photographs were printed during the event and some sixty copies were sold with a 10% donation to the NSPCC from their takings.

The meal commenced at 12.30pm with Fillet of Salmon and Tapenade Crumb starter, Slow Braised Harefield Premier Lamb Shoulder for the main course and Dark and White Delice with Praline, Ice Cream and Honeycombe Shards for the sweet. Andrew Nutter, telling everyone what he was to serve, commented that anyone who was bothered about calories might as well go home!

During the meal main supporters Fisherfield Farm Nurseries represented by Nicky McGill and Liz Jackson, presented the NSPCC Rochdale Branch Chairman, Penelope Pace, with a cheque for the monies raised from several events at their nurseries over the year in the sum of £5,463.88.

Debbie Sefton, Community Fundraising Manager from the NSPCC thanked everyone for their support for the event and explained the telephone call support now given by the Charity to children and concerned adults needing help and protection from abuse.

Debbie also announced that the NSPCC were to start a new service in Rochdale working with children who have suffered abuse. Many present felt that it was very appropriate that with the thousands of pounds which the Rochdale Branch has raised over the years the NSPCC were now to provide such a service within Rochdale to help our children overcome such problems.

There was a wonderful atmosphere in Nutters after the meal. Everyone enjoyed watching the racing and shared the Queen’s delight at winning the Gold Cup. Monies were raised from the traditional Racing Game, the Raffle, and a special Nutter’s Raffle.

In addition TV personality celebrity Florist Carl Wilde, who was a supporter at the event, was so enthused by the occasion that he offered a party booking for a meal at his gardens in Batley as a special raffle prize which raised an additional £250 for the event.

The total profit on the day for the NSPCC was £6,336.77.

Lis Kay, the chairman of the Rochdale Ascot at Nutters Steering Group said that she was delighted that the event had been so well supported. The total funds that had been produced from this day, with the Fisherfield Farm Nursery cheque totalled just short of twelve thousand pounds and she thanked all who had helped achieve this.

The sound and races were excellent. This was thanks to Wigwam Acoustics of Heywood who were in charge throughout. Champagne prizes for the race winners were donated by Jack Howorth, the Life President of the Branch, Swarbricks Formal Dress Hire and Rochdale Online.

Sponsorship was from Molesworths Bright Clegg, Solicitors, Swarbricks Formal Hire, Rochdale Online, Fisherfield Farm Nursery, Impeccable Hat Hire and Best Dressed Exclusive Designer Clothing of Littleborough and raffle prizes from the District NSPCC Committees, Jamilla Paul, Impeccable Dry Cleaners, Best Dressed Tracy Marson, The Fancy Dress shop of Rochdale, Boots and Tina Irving of Trans Global Freight.