KCCC Christmas Lunch 2011

       KCCC's guest of honour, the Mayor of Kensington & Chelsea, Cllr Julie Mills speaking at the Chamber's annual Christmas Lunch and charity auction, held in the Conservatory of the Millennium Gloucester Hotel.

The event raised over £5,000 distributed between three charities (Mayor's Fund to reduce isolation, Help for Heroes and the Royal Hospital Chelsea home of the Chelsea Pensioners ~ click here to see thank you letters from Help for Heroes and Royal Hospital Chelsea 

        
 The Meridian Ensemble provided music while guests including Sarah Cranston and Colin Rutt, above, sipped Champagne, courtesy of Earls Court & Olympia Ltd (ECO).
  
           
Guests including Susie Rogers, above, and Geoff Lloyde above, listened to a lively speech from guest speaker Cllr Victoria Borwick themed around her role with London Mayor Boris Johnson, transport and parking with businesses in mind. Cllr Borwick answered questions deftly which led neatly to the auction.

          
After speeches there was a lively and fun filled auction in aid of the K&C Mayor's fund to support local charities fighting isolation amongst older people (Open Age, Age Concern K&C, Pepper Pot) plus the Royal Hospital Chelsea (home of the Chelsea Pensioners) and Help for Heroes.  KCCC Vice President Colin Farmer, above right,our erstwhile auctioneer even let his lovely designer tie go at the end for final a bidding round won by Stephen Otter of Atlantic Corporation - well done and thanks to all who bid so generously!

HUGE THANKS to those contributing such splendid items for charity, without these the auction and raffle  would not have been so sparkly and enticing. 

Contributers included: Alliotts, Aubaine, Babylon Restaurant at the Roof Gardens, Big Easy BBQ and Crabshack, Beaufort House Chelsea Private Club, Carrie Me, Kensington Magazine, Goring Hotel, GHK Architects, Gina Conway Aveda Salon and Spa, K+K Hotel George, Big Yellow Wine Storage, Uptown Reservations, Peter Jones, RADA Enterprises, Romano's Restaurant Kensington, Lifebloom, Royal Garden Hotel,  Business Spa (Affinity Admin, Writing Consultancy, Digiplot), National Geographic, Paul Vick Architect, Sylvain Deleu Photographer at Studio 1, Griffinwell Wines,  London Electronics College, Kensington & Chelsea College, Millennium Gloucester Hotel & Conference Centre and the Grosvenor Gloucester Road Casino.

        
K&C Mayor, Cllr Julie Mills enjoying the festivities before leaving for her afternoon engagement.  KCCC Executive Councillor Christian Ingerslev, above centre, helping raise even more funds and James Johnson of Lewis Doyle, above right, after successfully bidding for a special dinner for two at the Roof Gardens.

                
 KCCC Vice President Malcolm Spalding, above left and Earl's Court Society's Jennifer Ware, above during the event before all were invited to the Grosvenor Glouceter Road Casino by Manager Dave Millward and PR Manager Velma Palmer for a tea time reception and some fun on the gaming tables to round off a perfect day!

PHOTOS BY MARIA DAWKINS at MLR Photo