Great Autumn Ball

With all proceeds going to St Michaels Hospice the event was hosted by 'Hotshots' Mike 'THE Man' Mariner.

Mike said he chose St Michaels Hospice as his favoured charity after he'd paid them a visit:

" I was just so impressed with what I saw at St Michaels Hospice and by the dedication of the staff."

Mike had previously chaired the Bexhill Mayors Ball, held at the Pavilion last year, and he said he chose to return to this "spectacular Art Deco venue", as so many people had commented on what a great place it was.

Mike, along with guest DJ 'The Great Colin Shaw' played what he describes as "music you just have to dance to", constantly filling the dance floor with a range of modern, swing, Latin, tango, & Motown sounds.

A big mix of age groups danced the night away, with many dedicated dancers travelling from as far afield as Eastbourne and Brighton to attend the event.

Sue from Brighton said there were two main reasons why she had made the trip.

"It's nice to dress up and you don't get many of these dances."

And the event proved popular with the men as well as the ladies with Mike from Eastbourne saying:

"It's absolutely brilliant."

Local companies supplied the three major raffle prizes consisting of a dinner for two with a nights stay at Leeford Place Hotel Battle, a thirty minute 'Pose and Cruise' ride provided by Elegance Limos of Hastings, and a portrait sitting at Bexhill Photographic Studio.

Mike said the Great Autumn Ball was such a success that he plans to return to the De La Warr next year:

"I'm hoping to make the ball an annual event; everyone said it was brilliant and a brilliant venue."

Mike and Hotshots partner Glynis are themselves expert dancers and regularly teach Le Roc to absolute beginners and intermediates at The Phoenix in Hastings.