The beautiful Lyde Arundel in Herefordshire was the setting for a grand Venetian Style Masquerade Ball that both celebrated the recent successes of local payments company allpay in national Payments and Card Production markets, but also raised £1,189 for Breast Cancer charities in the UK,.

Guests – allpay staff, partners, suppliers and friends – enjoyed a sunny drinks reception on the lawn overlooking Lyde’s picturesque lake. Wearing elaborate masks, guests gasped at the talents of two local fire jugglers, whilst listening to the smooth sounds of acoustic jazz and sipping Bellinis – a cocktail invented in 1930’s Venice.

A three course meal was interwoven with a powerful performance from the talented cast of The Courtyard Senior Youth Theatre’s production of The History Boys – which is sponsored by allpay. The all-male cast of local sixth formers had the 160 guests in stitches with the rip-roaring French class scene from the much-loved Alan Bennett play.

After being treated to a breathtaking firework display, guests then danced the night away to the sounds of The Casablanca Boys and a DJ.

Deborah Guest, Sales Director of allpay, said: “The Masquerade Ball has been a great success and it was a great opportunity to say thank you to everyone involved in making allpay what it is today. We are also delighted to have raised such a large amount of money that will go some way towards reducing the incidence of breast cancer by promoting awareness of its possible causes.”

Just some of the comments from guests:

Thanks for a fabulous evening. Great location, great food, great entertainment.

Lovely night, loved the food and the venue. Outfits were gorgeous!

This is without a doubt the best allpay event we’ve had!

It was a great event and I thought it went really well, loved all the attention to detail with the Italian connection.