The Rifle Corps Ball,

The Rifle Corps Ball,

The report of the ball in Redditch caused more than a little disquiet in Redditch, more of that latter. First to the ball  (which was held on the day after the Celebrations) and  the rooms the ball was held in, the National School rooms. Dancing took place in the Boys School, while supper was set out in the girl’s rooms. The reporter described the room as looking larger when decorated. The Ball committee had decorated the rooms with greenery and paper decorations. For the ball room. Mr Woodward had painted a picture of Windsor Castle with the motto, “on with the dance, let Joy be unconfined". This motto was consider 'very apt', for a military ball as the line came from Byron’s poem 'Before Waterloo'. The general comment was, "how Beautiful the room looks".

The company started to arrive at 8.30 and was only fully assembled at 11 O’clock. The guest of honary was the new High Sheriff of Worcestershire, Mr R Hemming of Bently Manor. As the Sheriff was late the dancing was opened by Lieutenant Bolton and Mrs Smith. At 1, O’clock in the morning the dancers broke off dancing and went to supper. This had been laid out 'with excellent and careful providence'. In the girls school by the Miss's Carstree's from the Unicorn Hotel. Mrs Hemming produced six dozen bottles of champagne which were considered a 'very acceptable addition to the general catering. When the dancers returned to the floor there was observed to be a fresh elasticity on the floor. A professional Master of Ceremony’s helped conduct the ball on the correct manner, as dawn broke the ball ended with a flurry of fly’s, and carriages. "It has resulted in the wish that another ball be held next session".



At the end of the report was a list of people who attended the ball, from Bentley Manor the High Sheriff and Mrs Hemming, and their party. From Foxlydiate House, Mr Collis his daughter and sister in law from Stourbridge, the French Consul from Birmingham. As well as the Whitehouse Family from Ipsley Court and the Smith family from Doe Bank, Astwood Bank. From Redditch some of the towns “principle inhabitants”, Bartleet, Beard, Boulton, Holyoke, Hill, and many others.  

The report of the Ball in the Paper included the illusion to fact that no balls had been held in the town for some time. Both the Fox and Goose and the Unicorn Hotel had an assemble room. But it was the 'dread of clashing of classes as to bannish balls ' and public Dancing for upper middle classes of town had 'been discontinued'. Thus," the company  on this occasion  made an abundance of blunders."  The tradesman's was not reported. And the following week a letter  in the Paper with the names the ''principle inhabitants' attached complaining about the report of the dancing.