A dazzling celebration of culture, music, dance and generosity in support of the Middlesex2031 Festival
Harrow went Bollywood in spectacular style! Some 180 Middlesex Masons, their families and friends descended on the Blue Rooms for an unforgettable evening of vibrant culture, infectious music, spectacular dancing and delicious food. It was a feast for the senses, a celebration of friendship and, above all, a wonderful demonstration of how the Middlesex2031 Festival brings people together for a greater purpose.
The evening was beautifully brought to life by Jayesh Maru and his wife, Dipa, whose artistic display of colourful marigolds (Genda Phool) added an authentic touch of Indian celebration. With the enthusiastic support of Allan Pullford and the brethren of Circle of Friendship Lodge, everything was in place for a memorable night.
And what better way to get the party started than with a friendly little competition?
The Heads and Tails challenge got the evening off to a flying start. With nothing more complicated than a 50/50 choice, the field of hopefuls was quickly whittled down until one fortunate winner emerged victorious, walking away with a bottle of champagne. The atmosphere was warming up nicely!
The Provincial Executive was out in force, and it wasn’t long before some members demonstrated that their talents extended well beyond Masonic ritual. The dance floor witnessed some wonderfully imaginative moves, perhaps giving birth to a new phenomenon: ‘stepping off with your two left feet’!
Among the first to take to the floor were Festival Chairman Paul Sully, showcasing his interpretation of Perini Thandavam, and Deputy Grand Superintendent Howard Hughes, demonstrating his Chakyar Koothu moves. Howard’s performance was apparently so impressive that he has been invited to display his talents at the Upahaar School of Dance. Whether this represents the beginning of a glittering new career remains to be seen!
No Bollywood celebration would be complete without food worthy of the occasion. A succession of delicious dishes provided a feast in its own right, giving guests the perfect opportunity to recharge before returning to the festivities.
The musical entertainment continued between courses, with MC Ashley leading some relaxing sing-alongs and keeping the atmosphere buzzing. But the real dancing frenzy was yet to come!
When Jay Kumar and his dazzling troupe of colourful dancers took centre stage, the temperature rose another few degrees. Their captivating performance brought the sights and sounds of Bollywood to life, setting the scene and encouraging guests to abandon their inhibitions and join the party. Before long, the dance floor was alive with movement, laughter and an infectious enthusiasm that swept through the room.
Yet, beneath all the glitter, glamour and good humour, there was a serious purpose to the evening.
Provincial Charity Stewards Peter Lawrence and Alfie Buckland together with Ashish Raythatha certainly demonstrated that charity runs through their veins. Working their way around all 20 tables, they encouraged guests to support both the raffle and the heads and tails, which was met with tremendous enthusiasm and extraordinary generosity.
The evening was all about togetherness, fun and letting our hair down. The dance floor was packed with enthusiastic Bhangra dancers, some showcasing impressive moves, while others, including Howard Hughes, later confessed to having two left feet! But that was precisely the point: it wasn’t about being a great dancer, but about joining in, sharing the laughter and enjoying the occasion together. And if all that fun wasn’t enough, raising £5,000 for the Middlesex2031 Festival was the icing on the cake—a wonderful achievement made possible by everyone who supported the evening, whether through dancing, playing Heads and Tails or buying raffle tickets.
Middlesex2031 Festival Bollywood Gala Dinner demonstrated what can be achieved when we bring people together for a social occasion with a purpose. Every guest who participated helped support worthwhile charitable projects, reach vulnerable people and provide practical assistance to those who need it most. Behind the £5,000 raised lies the potential to change lives, ease hardship and bring hope to individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. That is what makes events like this so much more than a great night out.
And that is what makes evenings like this so special. They are not simply about raising money; they are about strengthening friendships, welcoming families and friends into our Masonic community, sharing experiences and discovering just how much we can achieve when we come together.
Bollywood brought the colour, the music brought the magic, and the generosity of our guests made a real difference.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped organise the evening, to our entertainers and hosts, and to all those who attended and supported the fundraising.
Middlesex2031 Festival: bringing people together, creating unforgettable memories and turning generosity into meaningful change.
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