Ball still bouncing

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 14, 4 September 1984, Page 12

Ball still bouncing

Planning for this year's Rangataua ball is still "a little bit up in the air," but organisers have decided on major changes after last year's event. The ball became "pretty shambolic" last year when about 400 people attended, says . Ian Mardell, a co-organiser. Organisers had expected about half that number and were a little put out by the number of gatecrashers and "hangers on", he says.

Entry this year will be strictly by invitation only and is expected to be limited to a little over 200 people. "If you don't have a ticket you don't get in." The ball's format, too, may be changed, although no decision has yet been made. The ball began two years ago when 12 Wellington couples, who owned property in Rangataua, got together to put on a formal event — dinner suits and ball gowns compulsory. The first year was 'magical' with cars arriving at the hall amid falling snow, and couples walking through snow to the door. The organisers never intended the ball to become an annual occasion but the first was so popular they went ahead and organised a _ follow up last year. They met again recently in Wellington to organise another for later this year, but details are still up in the air, Mr Mardell says. However, with 12 couples arranging the event it gets off the ground in very little time, he says.