Italian Evening

November 2010

The Assembly Rooms, Dicconson Terrace, Lytham

This was a fundraising event in support of Fylde DFAS Young Arts Project, ‘Mr Lowry in Lytham St Annes‘. The feedback so far is that the evening was a great success and everyone seemed to have a good time.

The refreshments on offer were advertised as ‘nibbles’ but this was something of an understatement. Barbara Weston and her crack team of caterers worked tirelessly in the kitchen to produce a lavish display of snacks, entrees and finger food which kept people more than satisfied until the arrival of Pizza from Pizza Express. The table settings looked professional and the ambience was warm and inviting with Italian posters on the walls and soft music playing in the background. We were served wine and food at our tables by Committee members and volunteers – all for £12.50 a ticket including the lecture. This, of course, was the focal point of the evening.

Celebrated artist and lecturer, Hugh Ellwood delivered a lecture on the Italian Renaissance which was interesting and illuminating with high quality images. His subject knowledge was impressive and he kept our interest throughout. Hugh kindly offered his services free for this fundraising event and he struck just the right note for an evening lecture, making it as entertaining as it was educational.

It was a good to get members together in a friendly social setting and many brought friends along. Tickets were sold out very quickly so this may set a precedent for future events – a prospect viewed with some trepidation by the organisers.

We are currently working out how much we raised at this event but it is in excess of £600 – the raffle alone raised £165 so thanks to all who bought tickets and donated prizes. Thanks also to Barbara and Gerry who masterminded the event and everyone else who gave time and effort to make the event a success. It was a great team effort.