Mayor's Charity of the Year

Farleigh Hospice recently received the exciting news that we had been selected as the Mayor’s charity of the year. Here Community Fundraising Manager, Christine Hogben, explains how this came about and what has been happening since.

“Way back in May, Fiona Ward & I attended the ‘Making of Mayor’ ceremony in the Council Chambers and saw Cllr. Robert Shepherd and his wife Doreen pronounced Mayor and Mayoress of Chelmsford, for the then coming year May 2011 – May 2012.  During his opening speech, Cllr Shepherd declared that he had chosen Farleigh Hospice as his charity for the year.

Shortly after this, the Mayor’s Committee was formed and we met for our first meeting in the home of John and Yvonne Spence. There began the forming of our plans for the year. Ideas were brought to the meeting and the first event was held in July – a Summer Celebration lunch.  It was a beautiful hot sunny day (in fact some may say too hot! Yes, we did have days like that).  A superb buffet lunch was served and the wine and soft drinks flowed. To add to the occasion we were very fortunate to have the Chelmsford Silver Band and Funky Voices there to entertain everybody. Our very grateful thanks to John and Yvonne who hosted the event in their lovely garden and also thanks go to the committee who were all there to help. Our very own Fiona and also David and Valerie Frost attended to represent Farleigh Hospice.

In September a Golf Day was held at Chelmsford Golf Club organised by the Town Centre Manager Mike Wray, again a very successful event.

Make a date in your diary for a concert in the Civic Theatre on Sunday 25 March with ‘Abba Forever’. 

Another event which we are very happy to be organising is an Antique Valuation Day which will be held here in the Lantern Suite on Saturday April 14.  This is very exciting as it will not only be a fundraiser, but it will bring people into the Lantern Suite for them to see what is on offer. So if you have any treasures, which you think might be worth something, just bring them along on the day”.

The folliowing are currently scheduled to take place within the next year:

Friday 18th May, 2012 SOLD OUT – Mayor of Chelmsford’s Grand Charity Ball. Black tie ball to be held at Pontlands Park Hotel, West Hanningfield Road, Great Baddow, CM2 8HR.  £50 per ticket includes a drinks reception, sumptuous four course meal, close-up magic and dancing to Plan C. The ball, which is black-tie, starts at 7pm for 7.45 and carriages are at 12.30 am. Tickets are available from: