View the complete set of pictures HERE .The password for this link is the masters surname (in lower case.)

Ladies Festivals are relatively new to the Redfords and very similar to weddings. High season for weddings is April to October for ladies night its February to April, so throw in a few Christmas parties and a New Year celebration and you have the recipe for a full diary !!

View the complete set of pictures HERE .The password for this link is the masters surname (in lower case.)

We have performed Brands Hatch Place before its a great venue. The first time we play there staff showed us the room via the downstairs-ante room- upstairs route, this time we just back the van up to the side door and unloaded straight onto the dance floor!! I know !you were just testing us out before weren’t you ???

View the complete set of pictures HERE .The password for this link is the masters surname (in lower case.)

The room lends its self to an intimate atmosphere with low lighting separate dance floor and plenty of soft furnishings ideal for a great night of dancing.

View the complete set of pictures HERE .The password for this link is the masters surname (in lower case.)

Dining at Ladies Festivals is similar to a wedding with toasts and speeches to, and responses from, a Lodge Master and his Lady rather than Bride and Groom. There is also the quaint tradition of wine taking where the Master and his lady stand and take wine (like a toast but a lot less formal) with people who are special in their lives or have been particularly helpful during the year.  Many couples have likened the festival to their wedding, just as formal, good food, plenty of drinking and lots of dancing.

View the complete set of pictures HERE .The password for this link is the masters surname (in lower case.)

John and Kim were no exception and like bride and groom (or bride at least) were fussing over the tables, making sure the flowers were in place, checking the raffle is organised and checking the right people are sitting in the right place, just to make sure the whole evening runs smoothy.

View the complete set of pictures HERE .The password for this link is the masters surname (in lower case.)

The similarity with a wedding breakfast takes a short break when the main toast of the evening is given to …. you guessed it!! … the Ladies and primarily the Master’s Lady. Normally given by one of the members the toast usually comments on the ladies attire and how nice they look and a thanks them for letting their partners off for one night a month to attend Lodge meetings. Bob gave the toast very eloquently, so much so I’m sure he’s done it before! It’s also normal, directly after this toast and before its response for a member to stand and sing and perform the Ladies song (Here’s to her health in a song). I say perform because it takes the form of a three verse three chorus celebration of the ladies interspersed with three smaller toasts given by the singer while singing.

View the complete set of pictures HERE .The password for this link is the masters surname (in lower case.)

The member elected to sing this year was unavoidably absent so John and Bob decided that the whole company of assembled men would sing it with “The Redfords” manager leading !!. We always carry a spare Toast Master- Master of Ceremonies, with us for just such an emergency.!!!

View the complete set of pictures HERE .The password for this link is the masters surname (in lower case.)

The toasts done and the Ladies presents given out (very nice too!) Kim the Masters Lady gave an excellent and witty response anyone would have been proud to deliver.

View the complete set of pictures HERE .The password for this link is the masters surname (in lower case.)

The formalities over and it was time to dance and that’s where the similarity to a wedding returns. Their first dance choice was  To Love Somebody by the Bee Gees Our performance was tailored to the audience (preferring to rock the place as usual) and split into three sections with raffle rather than buffet after the first set. The evening culminated with Auld Lang Syng and that was that.

View the complete set of pictures HERE .The password for this link is the masters surname (in lower case.)

Best wishes to John and Kim and all

The Redfords