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Gala Dinner is a Sell Out!

Event organisers are slapping each other on the back after tickets sold out for a Centenary Gala Dinner and Auction which will be held on Saturday 6 March to celebrate 100 years of the Thwaites Empire Theatre and to raise funds for a new roof.  

The event is being attended by businesses from across East Lancashire, patrons and sponsors and a target of £100K is needed to replace the roofing of the performing arts complex and the popular community venue.

Gala Dinner

Michael Berry, the theatre Chairman has been working for 12 months to gather 100 birthday gifts which will be auctioned on the night, including everything from dog food to dancing lessons, holidays to Hollands Pies, a fitted kitchen and even a rubbish skip.  

He has been overwhelmed by the response from the local community.  He explained that when word got out about the birthday celebration presents just kept arriving, 'The latest include a 'Huntleys at Home' experience from Eddie Coupe of Huntleys at Samlesbury, a meal at the renowned Usha India Restaurant in Burnley, a Gucci Designer Watch and a top to toe makeover at Sunrise Nail & Beauty in Darwen.  

The best-selling author and long-term supporter of the theatre, Josephine Cox is getting involved.  She will be attending the dinner and is offering the chance to have a character named after someone you love in a forthcoming novel.'

In total there will be 10 Noisy Auction items, 4 silent art auction pieces, and nearly 50 other silent auction items to bid on ranging from the small and affordable to the highly desirable.  There will be a top hat raffle with a chance to win £200 and an opportunity to get your hands on the first copy of the official history of the theatre, when the book 'The Fall and Rise of the Empire' is launched.

The event takes place on Saturday 6 March at the Premier Suite, Blackburn Rovers.

 

Release Date:  Wednesday 24 February 2010