GUESTS at this year’s Chawton Hamper Ball enjoyed a sparkling evening which looks to have raised more than £2,000 toward buying new IT equipment for the village primary school.

Hosted by Chawton House Library on July 9, under a marquee provided by the Jane Austen Society, the annual event attracted more than 130 people, who were greeted on arrival with a glass of prosecco on the lawn courtesy of The Greyfriar pub served by former Alton College students Mimi and Bryony accompanied by soothing jazz played by Ian Abbott of Alton’s Strictly Showtime’s band, Funktion.

Party folk moved into the marquee and enjoyed suppers ranging from traditional hamper fayre to takeaways while magician Steve Kinnear delighted with his tricks.

Guests were treated to beautiful table decorations in the form of whitewashed crates filled with lavender from Long Barn at Alresford, chocolates from Sainsbury’s, bottles of bubbly and water and delightful thank you letters from the grateful children at Chawton Primary School.

Revellers even had the unique opportunity to “donate for the crate” by leaving a small sum in an envelope which enabled them to take the decoration home.

The raffle offered a wide assortment of donated prizes, ranging from a private aircraft flight over Chawton and private tours of Chawton House Library and Jane Austen’s House to flatscreen televisions, beauty treatments and Country Market vouchers, and helped raise more than £400 for St Michael’s Hospice in Basingstoke in loving memory of Jenny Avis, a parent at the school, with thanks to Alex Minett.

The band played a brilliant blend of old classics and chart songs, ensuring the black and white chequered dance floor remained packed all evening.

Primary school headteacher Dawn Tilley said: “Thank you so much to all those who organised and supported this fantastic event. It is an exciting time in education. With constantly changing and advancing technology, we are tasked with educating children for jobs that don’t exist today.

“Every penny raised by the Chawton Hamper Ball 2016 will have such an impact on the quality of technology that we are able to provide the children here at our school, enabling them to access a 21st Century education. Thank you for making a difference.”

Dr Gillian Dow, executive director at Chawton House Library, explained how the Ball had concluded a diverse week for the house.

“Chawton House Library has a dedicated international following and we welcome international conference delegates every year, as well as a large group of visitors from the Jane Austen Society of North America,” she said.

“But we never forget we are part of our local community too, or that the love of books and reading starts young. We are glad that the local school will benefit from this successful event.”