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Press fundraiser is a ball for everyone

22/ 3/2008

FOR many years one of Rochdale’s main social events was the annual Press Ball, organised by journalists at the Observer.

It was held for many years at the Town Hall, and sometimes at the Carlton ballroom, the last one being held in 1965.

Over the years the Press Ball raised thousands of pounds for charity, the main recipients being the National Union of Journalists’ Widow and Orphan Fund and the Newspaper Press Fund.

Ian Ogden, now a sub editor at the Observer, was on the organising committee for the last Press Ball.

As he recalled: "The Rochdale Press Ball in the fifties and sixties was one of the top social events of the local calendar. There was never any trouble selling tickets – they were snapped up within days of them going on the market.

"The only trouble the organisers had prior to the ball was getting the prizes for the raffle and grand draw, which was the highlight of the event.

"Every business, big and small, in the Rochdale area, giant national organisations, professional sporting clubs and wealthy individuals were targeted with what can only be described as begging letters asking for donations or gifts that could be used as prizes.

"They were promised mention in the Press Ball News as a ‘thank you.’ Many of the letters were ignored, but equally as many drew generous response from the recipients.

"The major aim of the Press Ball was to raise money for a press charity, the Newspaper Press Fund, and the National Union of Journalists."

This week we look back at the Press Ball of 1958, 50 years ago this month.

Local firms had responded so generously that a prize a minute was given away.

In all, about 360 prizes had been given for the ball and 750 lucky ticket holders had the ‘time of their lives’ with a chance to win anything from a leg of lamb to a free holiday.

The event was so successful that tickets had to be rationed – there were more than three applications for every single ticket issued!

Organisers were confident of raising at least £370 after all expenses had been met.

There was little doubt that the prizes, including two free holidays were the major attraction at the bi-annual event and that was positively shown by the quick sale of the Press Ball News, a miniature newspaper featuring zany stories written by Observer staff.

More than 100 spot prizes were distributed during the evening in addition to the 16 to 36 separate prizes awarded in sponsored dances.

The climax was the great midnight draw, the Press Ball News, subsidiary prizes and prizes were given for being anything from first on the dance floor to the last off it.

In fact hardly a minute went by without someone winning something.

Les Moss and his Orchestra and Dave Egerton and his Quartet played old-time and modern dance numbers.

Mr and Mrs C Holland graciously gave their services as MCs.

The mayor and mayoress of Rochdale, Alderman Thomas Rose, JP, and Mrs Rose, were present and were welcomed to the ball by Len Gough, chairman of the Rochdale branch of the National Union of Journalists, and union secretary Geoff Whitworth.

The organising committee for the 1958 ball comprised Observer reporters A C Holt, A G Fitzsimmons, R G Archer and M Woods.