Huge support from sponsors, guests and members for regional group.
The popular annual IRTE Northern Centre dinner dance returned in style to the Barton Manor hotel this November.
Attendance figures reached the function room’s maximum capacity of 200, as table sponsors, their guests, and the region’s IRTE members supported the centre in its first major social function in 24 months, following the cancellation of last year’s dance due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The format of the evening was the same as in previous years with Hon. Secretary Neil Mitchell host and compere. A three-course meal, charity raffle and auction were followed by music and dancing until midnight, as the resident DJ played tunes from the past and present.
The evening’s proceedings started with a formal presentation to Becky Wells and her family by Hon. Vice Chairman Sam Archer. Becky’s late husband, Peter, an IRTE Northern Centre committee member and honorary official, passed away in December 2020 after a two-year battle with motor neuron disease. A fund-raising team from the Motor Neurone Disease Association were in attendance, and money was generously raised through an auction and raffle.
Hon. Chairman Andrew Marshall thanked everyone for their attendance, and in particular the table sponsors for their continued support, before introducing SOE President Adam Fraser-Hitchen. Adam spoke about his plans for his role as President and complemented the work and efforts of the Northern Centre and its committee.
Chair of IRTE Services and Northern Centre committee member Chris Grime then presented flowers to Helen Marshall, wife of Andrew, and Roisin Mitchell, Neil’s wife, for their ongoing support.
Main image Hon. Chairman Andrew Marshall presents Adam Fraser-Hitchen with a Northern Centre plaque as a memento of his first visit to the centre.
Image 2 (above left) Hon. Vice Chairman Sam Archer presents Becky Wells and her family with an IRTE engraved vase in recognition of the work by Becky’s late husband Peter
Image 3 (right) The auction and raffle prize display.