Waterloo Company Charity Ball

Tom and I were honoured to attend the Waterloo Company Charity Ball at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy this past weekend. For those of you not familiar with Sandhurst it is not quite as prestigious as Westpoint, but it is more traditional (that is what the men attending Sandhurst say). The ball was one to remember, and most likely one of the most sophisticated events I will ever attend.

Mark invited four couples as guests. I was familiar with all except for one of the couples, and one of the girlfriends. Everyone was lovely and it was great knowing a number of the people there. One of the guys Tom used to live with in Brighton is also currently attending Sandhurst and it was good to see him again. When we arrived Mark took our group on a tour of the grounds. It is grand! The lawns, lakes and impressive builidings were beautiful with Autumn colours all around.


We were then shown to our rooms to change into our evening attire, black tie of course. I purchased a pretty light pink dress from H&M for the event and paired it with black tights, black heels (ankle boot stype that laced up with ribbons) and the Tiffany's necklace my parents gave me. I felt very pretty. Tom looked very handsome in his tux. Off to the ball we went.


We were provided with champagne on arrival and given a little time to mingle before taking our seats for the meal. Sitting at the table just next to us was a Prince from the Middle East who is worth £200m. He is attending Sandhurst at the moment. Class and sophistication eminated everywhere. We enjoyed a delicious three course meal followed by an auction.


Two of the most interesting items of the night were a pizza and a lie in. The pizza went for £400! The members of the company are soon going up to Scotland for an intensive week of training, and the person who won this pizza can have it delivered at any time they want during that week. Mark won the lie in for four for £350. A lie in, just means sleeping in late. In December Sandhurst holds its Commissioning Ball which is three times the size of the ball we attended and goes until early hours in the morning. The men at Sandhurst are required to get up at 6.30 the morning after the ball to start cleaning. Mark's prize allows him to not start cleaning up until 10.30 and he is served breakfast in bed that morning. Probably the best prize of the night.


Emma didn't quite get how an auction works and on the first prize, a holiday, after a bid of £150 her hand shot up as she shouted "300." Luckily she was outbid as she though it was a game and didn't realise they meant real money. It made us laugh.

Champagne flowed throughout the night and there was pleanty of dancing on the dance floor. I enjoyed myself emmensly and felt honoured to be a guest.

Love