Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole 2006/07

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, held her Celebration Farewell Charity Ball at the Haven Hotel.

It is a tradition of Mayors of Poole to hold a Charity Ball in the spring, but Judy chose to change custom by making it a celebration of her term of office and to make it her farewell, coming only days before her Deputy Mayor-Making. To everybody's amazement, the event was sold out well before the evening with some people unfortunately disappointed when it proved impossible to fit any more guests into the venue.

The evening began with a champagne cocktail reception and an opportunity for guests to have a commemorative photo taken by  professional photographer Libra, while accomplished pianist Richard McLester played gently in the background.

Having found their seats, the diners tucked into a superb meal of a seafood mouselline starter wrapped in smoked salmon, chicken chausseur with a mustard and honey sauce, finished off with a wicked dark chocolate tart. In between courses, Close-Up Magician of the Year James Brown circulated the tables, amazing guests with his displays of sleight of hand and card tricks. The Mayor gave a speech in which she thanked the many people who has supported her throughout the year, following which Poole Harbour Commissioners Chairman Captain Malcolm Shakesby paid tribute to Judy as a great Mayor and a very difficult act to follow, announcing that the Charity Appeal Fund had raised in excess of £60K. Charity Committee Chairman Mrs Jackie Maynard echoed the sentiments and also thanked all the members of the Charity Committee for their hard work during the year, staging some 35 events to raise funds. This was followed by the Mayor's secretary Mrs Jo Clements who thanked Judy on behalf of the Mayor's office for making the year a very full one, but also a fun one with a very different open style and an open heart to go with it, both ladies presented Judy with a huge bouquet and for a moment she was somewhat lost amongst the flowers and the emotion of the evening.

The first surprise during the dessert was when professional Opera singer and close friend of Judy's Miss Liz Ferrie of Curtain Up Productions delivered a superb and powerful rendering of the Italian opera song ‘Time to say Goodbye', a performance which left everybody stunned. On a lighter note, a little later saw the introduction of ‘The Marshallettes', consisting of Liz Ferrie, the Mayor and her daughter Georgina, who gave a very funny (if not always accurate) performance of ‘Anything Goes'. Finally, the Mayor stepped up again to acknowledge the unstinting help and support she has received from her husband David by singing ‘Wind Beneath My Wings', reducing some of her audience to tears in the process.

After a short break the Mayor took on the role of auctioneer, with her trusy ‘retainer' and auctioneers assistant Arthur ‘Lightning' Gillard, who was about as much use as a chocolate fireguard, but willing!!! There were many lots ranging from holiday homes, several posh dinners, and pottery including a very special clock made by artist Stewart Freshwater of the '15 Days in Clay' project, raising almost £1300 for the auction.

The rest of the evening was informal, with guests able to dance to the band ‘Casca', play roulette at the fun casino tables, or just relax and chat with their friends. With all the funds counted, the evening raised an astounding five thousand pounds for the Mayor's Charities, thanks to the unending generosity of Poole's residents and businessmen and it has to be said the unconditional drive and determination of our very own Mayor Judy

Cllr Mrs. Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole, said "The evening was magical, everything seemed to be right, the company, the food, the music, the venue, so much hard work and all to the good. My guests were so kind and complimentary about my year and if I have been a Mayor of the People as they say, it is only because the people have been there unconditionally for their Mayor."

The stunning array of raffle prizes laid out at the Mayor's Celebration Farewell Charity Ball at the Haven Hotel.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with her husband David Butt, Poole Housing Partnership Chief Executive Joe Logan and his guests at the Mayor's Celebration Farewell Charity Ball.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with her husband David Butt, and Poole Harbour Commissioners Chairman Captain Malcolm Shakesby at the Mayor's Celebration Farewell Charity Ball.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, chats with Poole Council Chief Executive John McBride and his wife at the Mayor's Celebration Farewell Charity Ball.

‘The Marshallettes' entertain - the Mayor (right), opera singer Liz Ferrie (centre) and the Mayor's daughter Georgina.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, receives a bouquet from Charity Committee Chairman Jackie Maynard on behalf of the Committee.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, visits her chauffeur and macebearer David Knight with his wife Marcia.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, sings a moving tribute to her husband David Butt.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, presents a birthday gift to ward Council colleague John Rampton.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, conducts the auction with the ‘help' of auctioneers assistant Arthur ‘Lightning' Gillard.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, with Mayor's Secretary Jo Clements and Charity Committee Chairman Jackie Maynard at the Mayor's Celebration Farewell Charity Ball.