Mary Reid

Last night we held the Mayor's Charity Ball on Ravens Ait - the culmination of our fundraising for Young Kingston and a great evening out.  It's a superb venue and taking the boat across to the island only adds to its special atmosphere.

Peter Moore, Kingston's Tipstaff, acted as toastmaster for the evening so we posed for a photo before the guests arrived.

After a champagne reception we sat down for an excellent dinner. I had promised to put the emphasis on fun - with table entertainers and musicians - so cut out all the speeeches, apart from a welcome from me. It was also a chance to publicly thank Alison Croucher, the Mayoral Officer, who had organised the whole event so expertly.

After dinner people wandered around the function rooms, joining in the dancing, sitting and chatting or watching the river out on the terraces.

These fine people are my daughter-in-law, Sarah, my two sons in the middle, Stuart and Duncan (married to Sarah), flanked by Stephen and Michael Ball.