Durrell News

Durrell 50th Anniversary Firefly Ball

5^th June 2009

Celebrating fifty years of Durrell, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will be attending the Trust’s 50th Anniversary ‘Firefly Ball’ in Jersey, which is set to be one of the highlights in the 2009 calendar of celebrations.

Three hundred and fifty people will be entertained by internationally known Jersey artist, Nerina Pallot, and there are hopes of securing a performance from pianist, Georgina Sutton, who is this year’s winner of Jersey Musician of the Year.

Demand for tickets for the July event, kindly sponsored by HSBC, was so great they sold out before being released on general sale.

Arriving to the sounds of the Caledonian Pipe Band, Princess Anne will be met by Honorary Director, Dr Lee Durrell and CEO, Paul Masterton, before being escorted into the banquet, held at the Trinity headquarters, by ‘fireflies and butterflies’ from Beaulieu School.

The 50th Anniversary ‘Firefly Ball’ has been organised by Gloria Warner and Jenny White, who are part of the Trust’s L’Assemblée des Gardiens. The Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey, His Excellency Lieutenant General Andrew Ridgway, CB, CBE, and Mrs Ridgway will be attending the Royal event, which, it is hoped, will be one of the key fundraising events of the year.

HSBC’s Advisor on the Environment, Francis Sullivan, will be guest speaker at the ball, representing the first major bank in the world to become carbon neutral. Lee Durrell will say a few words before presenting Princess Anne with a set of mounted celebratory stamps of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, produced by Jersey Mail, and inviting The Princess Royal to speak. 

Lee Durrell said “The ‘Firefly Ball’ is going to be a splendid occasion. We’ll not only rejoice in Durrell’s remarkable achievements to date, but hope to inspire commitment among our loyal supporters for the next fifty years. There is so much to be done in the field of biodiversity conservation, but Durrell knows how to do it, and that is something worth celebrating!”

Francis Sullivan said, “It’s such an honour for me to be invited to speak at what promises to be a fabulous evening. Durrell remain at the forefront of numerous important international conservation projects and it is fitting for us to celebrate their achievements to date, as they work so tirelessly for others.”

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