Our much-loved KFE Annual Ball returned to The Belfry at the weekend, with the venue transformed into a rustic barn for this year’s country and western theme.
Checked table cloths, simple flowers, saloon barn doors and a ‘wanted’ menu card on each table adorned the room, while outside guests were welcomed by a saloon carriage and horses, a cowboy and cowgirl showing off their rope tricks, and a singer belting out popular country ballads.
Almost 70 guests joined us across the weekend, staying both Saturday and Sunday evening, while the Annual Ball on the Sunday evening attracted a 200-strong crowd from across the industry.
The evening started with a Dolly Parton tribute act who dazzled guests alongside good friend Kenny Rogers, singing hit after hit including 9 to 5, Joleen and Islands in the Stream. The duo later welcomed KFE Field Sales Manager Nikki Williams to the stage who joined them in a unique rendition of The Gambler!
The entertainment continued with Shania Twain and Jonny Cash while the final act of the night, singer Sarah-Jayne, had guests up on their feet as she taught a country line dance. A special mention has to go to Jason Parsonage at Middleton Foods for his two left feet!
Before the sun set on this fantastic night, a host of games were set up to test who was a true cowboy or cowgirl at heart including cactus hoop throwing, a saloon shoot-out game and the popular bucking bronco. Carol Hulme of Finney’s in Anglesey stayed in the saddle for the longest, managing 68 seconds, while KFE area sales manager Richard Turner went away a little red-faced after splitting his trousers!
To mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, this year’s game of Heads and Tails raised money for The Burnt Chef Project, a not-for-profit organisation aimed at tackling the stigma of mental health within the hospitality industry. A twist to the usual game-play saw players answer country-style questions. Did you know Dolly Parton was one of 12 children? We are pleased to have raised almost £1,500 for The Burnt Chef Project and would like to say a huge thank you to the winner Adam at Middleton Foods who generously put his £150 winnings back into the charity pot.
KFE Golf Tournament
Before the ball on Sunday, the annual KFE Golf Tournament took place with 27 players taking to the majestic fairways and carpet-smooth greens of the world-renowned Brabazon course.
Mike Hulme of Finney’s in Anglesey won the individual tournament with 33 points, a triumph that comes just weeks after winning the Duke of Edinburgh Cup Qualifier. Sean Savage, Sales & Marketing Manager at T.Quality, was a very close runner-up on 32 points.
The international tournament, which saw England take on a team from Scotland and Ireland, was equally as close with the result hanging on the last team to return – KFE’s Stuart Blessett versus Middleton Foods’ Colin Cromar. With one point separating them in the end, the victory was all Scotland’s with the triumphant team made up of Gary Keeley (Tower Finance), John Anderson & Walker Murray (Anstruther Fish Bar), Colin Cromar (Middleton Foods), Alan McColm (The Real Food Café), Kevin Thomas (Duncrue) and Nikki Williams (KFE).
Unfortunately, the winner of the whoosh b****** trophy with just 8 points was first-time KFE baller Kris Hall, founder and CEO of The Burnt Chef Project. Let’s hope he gets in some practise before next year’s tournament!
Over on the Ryder Legends course, 50 players joined us for mini golf, with Lynn Ainslie, wife of our very own KFE engineer Gary Ainslie, winning with a record KFE score of 30 points. The loser with over double that figure was Mark Kemp from our finance partner Tower Leasing with 66 points.
Paul Williams, KFE Managing Director, comments: “Well, would you look at that! Another mighty fine evening was had by all.
“Once again, it was great to see so many faces – new and old – attend this year’s KFE Annual Ball and Golf Tournament. Some fantastic golf was played during the day and it was one of the closest tournaments we’ve ever seen, while in the evening everyone fully embraced the theme with more stetsons, tassels and cowboy boots than you could shake a stick at!
“I would like to thank everyone who attended as well as our amazing sponsors for allowing us to make it a night to remember!”
