TICKETS will go on sale this week for Fulflood’s 2014 Charity Ball, a black tie event that will mark the upcoming centenary of Winchester’s Theatre Royal.

The charity event will be held on Saturday April 5 at Peter Symonds College and all profits will go the Theatre Royal.

Catherine Skinner, Fulflood resident and chairman of the ball committee, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Theatre Royal in their very important centenary year. As a local charity at the cultural heart of Winchester, many people aren’t aware of the range of valuable community projects it provides over and above the fun-packed calendar of theatre events.

"It delivers youth theatre, dance and creative workshops; promotes local artists; supports small local businesses; and provides access to theatre for disabled and disadvantaged groups. However, due to cuts in funding, they are now relying more and more on their own fund-raising to survive. We’re happy to be doing our bit to ensure that the Theatre is still here in another 100 years.”

Preparing for the launch of ticket sales, theatre chief executive, Mark Courtice, congratulated the organisers for their energy and hard work in making the event happen.

He said: “The unstinting support of the Fulflood Ball for our centenary fund raising efforts is quite splendid. They are creating a wonderful evening full of spectacle, fun and excitement – so appropriate for a theatre, which has been doing much the same for 100 years. We are very grateful to them, and all those in our community around the city who are supporting this important anniversary.”

Tickets cost £65 each and will be available from Wednesday November 20 at the Theatre Royal box office or by phone on 01962 840440 (not online).

Announcing its main sponsor, Belgarum Estate Agents, the ball organisers are inviting support from Winchester’s business community, including Alfred Homes and other local businesses. For details on sponsorship opportunities, please contact info@fulfloodball.co.uk. More information about the Charity Ball is also available at: www.fulfloodball.co.uk

The ball is run by a group of local residents living in the Fulflood area. In 2011, they organised the first Fulflood Ball, which raised over £8,000 for the Magic Wand appeal, helping to improve the Children’s Ward at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

The ball is expected to become a bi-annual event.