3-028-479 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Mayor's Ball at Nottingham, 1870. 'The public-spirited Mayor of Nottingham, Mr. Oldknow, gave a magnificent ball, on Thursday week, in the lecture-hall of the Mechanics' Institution, to more than five hundred of the upper class inhabitants of that city and its neighbourhood. The hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion by Messrs. Marshall, of Nottingham, and converted into a beautiful dancing-saloon...Ornamental devices in holly, ivy, and laurel, with white and red roses, were placed between the upper windows, presenting alternately a circle and a star, with J. O., the initials of the Mayor's name; spear-pointed pennons were crossed beneath them. The orchestra was adorned with three splendid mirrors under the organ, and with a grove of orange-trees...a buffet, laid with every delicacy, [was] provided by Messrs. Gunter and Co...The Mayor found the wines from his own cellar...The music was supplied by a fine band of eighteen performers, under the leadership of Mr. H. Leverton...The dancing was kept up till five o'clock in the morning with great spirit and enjoyment'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.