Over 350 friends and supporters of The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) gathered at the Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries on Saturday 19th November to raise money for the charity, which aims to educate children on food, farming, and the working countryside.
The event was organised by local RHET committee members, Sara Barbour, Emily McBride and Abby Forsyth, along with local D&G RHET project Co-ordinator Tracy Martin. Turcan Connell and Savills jointly sponsored the ball for the third time – previous balls being held in 2016 and 2018.
There was certainly appetite for the ball with tables selling out within days and 351 attending on the night. Guests were welcomed by Regional Chairman Hugh McClymont and were then entertained by the Piano Man from Glasgow will tucking into a delicious feast of Sirloin Beef, generously donated by Scot Beef in Bridge of Allan. There followed a vote of thanks by National Chairman, Alistair Marshall and then a wonderfully entertaining live auction. Andrew Goldie was the auctioneer in charge, and he had everybody laughing, while digging deep into their pockets. A silent auction also ran throughout the evening and donations were generously received too.
Following the auction, the room was buzzing with warmth and chat and the dancefloor was full all night. David Allen sponsored The Flashes, heading up by Bruce McKenzie, who played the ball for the 3rd time.
The ball organisers and the rest of the RHET DGCI were absolutely thrilled when the total raised at their AGM, at Ernespie Farm on Wednesday 23rd November, was a staggering £45,514. The committee are delighted that this figure allows them to purchase a Countryside Classroom on Wheels (or a C-COW, as it’s alternatively named), something they have been striving for, for years. Tracy Martin, RHET Project Coordinator says “this will allow RHET D&G to engage with pupils across the region, and really ‘bring the countryside to the classroom’ for all. We hope to give pupils and staff a taste of what we can do out on-farm, by bringing them livestock to explore, and facilitating outdoor learning activities for children to enjoy, on their doorstep. We hope that this resource will allow us to raise awareness of what RHET D&G offer, as well as sparking an interest in the wider world of food production, agriculture, and the working countryside”.
Should you be looking to volunteer, arrange a farm visit, classroom talk or a visit from the CCOW (when it arrives), then call Tracy on [email protected].
