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HUNT BALL GALLOPS INTO YE OLDE BELL AGAIN!

Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Restaurant at Barnby Moor were delighted to yet again host the magnificent Grove & Rufford Hunt Ball, a highlight of the East Midlands social calendar. Almost 500 guests galloped into the ballroom dressed in fun and finery- black tie and glamorous ball gowns contrasted with hats and feather boas!

One guest in particular, Paul Piddington owner of Vale of York Polo Club at Misson, had certainly dressed in style for the occasion, having risen to the challenge of a bet placed at last year's Ball by John Burnett, Chairman of the Grove & Rufford Entertainments Committee. The hotel staircase boasts a spectacular and amusing mural of a hunting scene by local artist, Mary Daw, and as Paul is one of the few members locally to still hunt in a top hat and tail coat, John bet him that he should attend this year's Ball dressed as the Huntsman on the mural (see image attached). True to form, Paul took the challenge a few stages further and grew his hair throughout the summer and dyed it red to match the guy on the mural! It was then all shaved off on stage at the Ball and he raised over £2,500 for Help for Heroes with John Burnett donating the initial £250 for the charity. A memorable event for the Hunt Ball Diary in years to come!

Mary Daw has been a mural and portrait artist for over 20 years and also specialises in marbling, antiquing and wood graining. She was commissioned by Paul & Hilary Levack to paint the mural at Ye Olde Bell, as they wanted to leave a legendary mark of their custodianship of the hotel for guests to enjoy for generations to come. Mary's other famous clients include Sharon & Ozzie Osborne and Raymond Blanc!

The Ball was yet again another huge success for the Hunt and for the Hotel – guests were welcomed to drinks by crackling log fires and Christmas trees, followed by a superb dinner, dancing in the ballroom and the marquee until the early hours followed by full English breakfast! What another fabulous night!