History
The Holly Ball is unbelievably fast approaching its 40th year!
It all began in 1984 when Fiona Mann (née Buckley) and her schoolfriends were holding 18th birthday parties at Madame’s, the nightclub in the basement of the Lister’s Arms on Leeds Road (now apartments)…
Remember the green door?!
With her mother volunteering for Wharfedale Yorkshire Cancer Research, Fiona charged just 60p a ticket and raised £100 for charity.
A few more charity parties followed, and in 1987, local DJ Jamie Priestner suggested spreading some Christmas cheer — and the very first Charity Christmas Ball was born.
Held on 18 December at the King’s Hall, it raised £488.84 for Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Originally a one-off, the Ball became an annual fixture when Fiona joined Ilkley Rotaract and persuaded the club to get involved.
Over the years it raised funds for a wide range of charities, mainly Yorkshire Cancer Research.
By 2002, the event was relaunched as The Holly Ball and became part of Ilkley Rotary Club’s fundraising programme from around 2006.
By the time Fiona handed over in 2012, the Ball had raised £40,000, including £20,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research.
A huge thank you to everyone who has helped make this Ilkley institution possible.
Huge thank you to Fiona and cheers to the magical Holly Ball —
and to many more to come!
