New Year Ball at the Town Hall

The Ryde Ping-Pong Club Ball at the Town Hall
New Year 1902

On Wednesday evening the members of the Ryde Ping-Pong Club and their friends met at a very pleasant ball at the Town Hall, which proved so enjoyable that it was suggested to the secretaries (Capt. R. Alexander and Dr. Kennedy, to whose excellent arrangements the success of the ball was due) that other re-unions of a similar character should be arranged.

About two-thirds of the large hall was devoted to dancing, and the other third was parted off, by means of a pretty screen of evergreens and greenery, decorated with Japanese lamps etc., and used as a supper room.

The ante-rooms, passages, and stairs were carpeted and elegantly furnished for sitting out.  A novel feature was the use of the small Town Hall for Ping-Pong.  Three tables were placed there, and were in use the whole of the evening, many dancers coming in at intervals to take a turn at their favourite game.

Dancing was kept up till three o’clock.  When the clock announced that the year 1901 had passed away, the band struck up “Should auld acquaintance be forgot,” and those present went in to supper and to pledge each other and absent friends.

Mr. Halloway’s quadrille band provided an excellent programme of music; Mr. Purnell arranged the decorations and furnished the room; and Albertolli Bros. provided the supper.

Source: IW Observer 4 January 1902
Image: Wikipedia
Article: Ann Barrett