Panto legend launches Lord Mayor's fundraiser (From York Press)

Panto legend Berwick Kaler launches Lord Mayor's fundraiser

3:35pm Friday 14th September 2012 in News By Mark Stead, mark.stead@thepress.co.uk

YORK’S very own panto legend has helped launch one of the highlights of the city’s civic calendar.

Berwick Kaler, the star of Christmas shows at York Theatre Royal for decades, took the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Keith Hyman, for a twirl as preparations get under way for a key fundraising event during his year in office.

Tickets for the annual Lord Mayor’s Ball, which will be held in the Voltiguer Suite at York Racecourse on February 9, go on sale this week and the price has been reduced from last year to £50 per person, with tables of ten available for £500.

All the proceeds will go to the mayor’s chosen charities, SSAFA Forces Help and City of York Special Olympics.

“The invitation to buy tickets is open to all and the organising committee wanted to keep the price more affordable for both individuals and organisations,” said Coun Hyman.

York party band Huge will be performing at the ball, and Karen Hyman, this year’s Lady Mayoress and one of the main planners for the event, said: “We know they have a huge following and have been very popular with guests at previous Lord Mayor’s fundraising balls.”

Booking forms can be downloaded at york.gov.uk/lordmayor or by sending an e-mail to civicenquiries@york.gov.uk , where the contact for inquiries is Anne Platt on 01904 551011.

• York Theatre Royal has taken delivery of something every York panto needs - Wagon Wheels, a long-standing chocolate tradition of the festive show - thanks to the Tesco store in Tadcaster Road.

The store has donated 1,000 of the treats to the theatre so they can be dished out to the audience by Berwick Kaler, and has also given £500, 800 crackers and 800 mince pies to organisers of the Lord Mayor’s annual Christmas Cheer lunches at the Assembly Rooms.

Pavers footwear store has also donated £500 towards the lunches.