Speakeasy Bursary Ball is a Roaring Success

The glad rags were out in force as dapper gents and flapper gals enjoyed a pitch-side glass of giggle water, where they were serenaded by the Holles Singers with their pitch-perfect selection of jazzy musical medleys.

Then it was through the Speakeasy styled foyer, piled high with crates of illicit moonshine, and decorated with posters featuring LEH’s Most Wanted. Generous ransoms were on offer for the capture of the hardened gangsters and their molls, including Tommy ‘The Legs’ Lewis, Miranda ‘The Maestro’ Ashe and Mark ‘Mad Dog’ Tompsett.

This led on to the decidedly more glamorous surroundings of the main Gatsby styled night club, with its plumes of ostrich feathers, shimmering gold curtains and vintage posters encouraging guests to: “Kick your heels up!” and “Save water, drink champagne!”.

It was up to Elizabeth Candy scholar and L6 pupil, Chloe Chen, to remind everyone why there were all there, as she gave an impassioned speech about the importance of bursaries which left some listeners in tears.

She said: “In my opinion, these bursaries and the Candy scholarship represent more than just financial assistance. They symbolise determination, faith in every student regardless of financial circumstance, and the belief that every student deserves the chance to excel. It should be a massive point of pride for LEH, for all of you, and for Mrs Hanbury, who has really advocated for the expansion of this fund, that you are able to recognise the talents and aspirations of young individuals in order to pursue their academic journey within the halls of LEH.”

Chloe concluded by saying: “Despite requiring significant financial aid to even attend this school, I feel immensely privileged. I am incredibly grateful to my parents, for recognising, pushing me, and believing in my ability to attain this level of education, I am grateful for Mrs Hanbury, for following the school ethos of inclusion and empathy to help as many people who require assistance and who deserve a place to go to LEH, and I am so grateful to everyone who has donated to help her realise this dream, as well as the collective dream of all the students who have passed through LEH that have received financial aid. It is an opportunity that I am lucky to have granted to me, and one that I am sure has been appreciated and cherished by LEH students over the years.”

The Mystery Moonshine tombola was a complete sell-out, and the bidding was fast and furious on all the auction lots, which alone raised £20,000.  The most popular items on the night were the private screening at the Olympic Studios, a Cordon Bleu dinner chez the Hanbury’s and the chance to be LEH Junior School Head for the Day.

Head Mistress Heather Hanbury says: “The whole evening really was the bee’s knees and the cat’s pyjamas, all rolled into one! I’d like to thank everyone who came for digging deep and giving so generously to a cause close to my heart.  I loved every moment of it, and it was clear to see that our guests did too!”

This year LEH is proud to be supporting 73 bursary pupils.  Last year we had 100 applications and only funding to award places to 13 of them, so we are determined to increase the number of bursary places available and have set ourselves the ambitious target of providing 100 places by 2025.

To find out more about the Bursary Fund and how you can transform a young person’s life, please click here: Bursary Fund - Lady Eleanor Holles School (lehs.org.uk)