70 years of Hazlegrove were celebrated in style at the Friends' Hazlegroovy Ball

On Saturday night, parents and teachers alike discovered their inner seventies groove and boogied in the wonderland of the Hazlegroovy Ball, celebrating 70 years of the school and shedding inhibitions left, right and centre.

The sun shone down, flashing off aviator sunglasses and bringing glitter to life as various punks, afro wigs, hippies, rock stars, tennis players and even an emu strutted their stuff.  The champagne reception served as a game of “guess who” as various outfits made their way towards the marquee. Some were more conservative than others, though nearly everyone had a touch of seventies magic dust - not least our esteemed headmaster, glittering in gold-dust as David Bowie.

Delicious and substantial canapés, courtesy of Victoria Blashford-Snell, were served, followed by a three course dinner, during which an early game of Heads and Tails sorted winners from losers. The auction followed, with enthusiastic bidding from both the parent and teacher body raising the total higher each time. Some £30,000 was raised on the night, in aid of Promise Works, a local Somerset charity which provides a mentoring service to vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in the area.  Highlights of the auction included a recorded video message from Paddington 2 star Hugh Bonneville with tickets to his film premiere, a donation of 2 flights to New York from Richard Branson, both courtesy of Cindy Galpin, and a selection of exotic and desirable holiday options, sports packages and many other fun lots.  A gin cocktail bar kept everyone hydrated on a hot night and the incredible band “Uncle Funk and the Boogie Wonderband” wowed the crowd with their brilliant 70’s repertoire and ensured many interesting shapes were thrown on the dancefloor until the early hours.

Many thanks to all those involved in organising a superb and fun-filled event which raised so much money for such a worthy cause.

Kate Robinson
Parent

Photos are available to purchase so we can try to raise even more money for Promise Works.  If you would like one of these photos please contact Naomi.

Click here to see the photo album of the Hazlegroovy Ball in Flickr