The 1st of December saw the 81st British Jewellery Giftware & Finishing Federation Benevolent Ball take place at The St Johns Hotel Solihull, with Jewellery & Watch as Headline Sponsor.

Incorporated within this longstanding annual Charity Event were the National Association of Jewellers Member Awards which are designed to flag up all that is most excellent about the UK’s extremely diverse jewellery industry: its bright new talent, its design skills and creativity and its capacity to truly serve its customers whether they are other businesses, on-line jewellery buyers or the consumer in the High Street.

The Benevolent Society Ball attracts guests from the jewellery, giftware, surface engineering and luggage and leathergoods associations which are member organisations of the British Allied Trades Federation.

David Simons, the Benevolent Society's Chairman, was delighted that over 400 guests attended the black tie event with many companies using it as the perfect occasion to celebrate Christmas with staff and their colleagues. He was equally delighted to thank Lynn Snead, Jodie Littleford of T H March, and Gill Price for all of their hard work in organising this highly successful night out.

The Benevolent Society was particularly grateful that Jewellery & Watch had agreed to become the Headline Sponsor for the Charity Evening. This is yet another indication of how this progressive events company continues to engage and work closely with all Sectors of the Jewellery & Giftware Trades for the benefit of all.

A Charity Auction was conducted by David Doyle of Jewellery Brokers, the Society's Vice Chairman, (with a little help from youngster Tom Bennet, whose parents Steve & Sarah Bennet own Gemporia) and early indications are that over £40,000 was raised on the evening for the Charity. Lots donated for the Auction included Lunch for 10 at The Assay Office Birmingham with Lord Digby Jones as guest host sponsored by Laurence Blunt. This Auction Lot proved so popular that David felt obliged to sell this Lot twice to both Mark Smith of T H March and Sam Willoughby of Reed Exhibitions! 

TICKET SALES STRONG FOR THIS YEAR’S BENEVOLENT SOCIETY BALL AND NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JEWELLERS’ MEMBERSHIP AWARDS

THE EVENT, WHICH IS TAKING PLACE ON THURSDAY 1 DECEMBER AT THE PRESTIGEOUS ST JOHN’S HOTEL IN SOLIHULL ATTRACTED OVER 400 KEY INDUSTRY GUESTS LAST YEAR AND ALL LOOKS GOOD FOR AN EVEN GREATER TURNOUT THIS YEAR.

THE EVENING STARTS WITH A CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE AND THE NAJ’S MEMBERSHIP AWARDS ADDS A GREAT DEAL OF EXCITEMENT AS THE NOMINEES WAIT WITH BATED BREATH TO LEARN WHETHER THEY HAVE WON ONE OF THESE ILLUSTRIOUS AWARDS.

The 3rd of December saw the 80th British Jewellery Giftware & Finishing Federation’s Benevolent Society Ball take place at The St John’s Hotel, Solihull.  Early indications show that a record £32,000 was raised on the evening for the charity.

This black-tie event attracts guests from the jewellery, giftware, surface engineering and luggage and leathergoods associations which are member organisations of the British Allied Trades Federation and whose industries are served by the Charity.

Speaking on the evening David Simons, the Benevolent Society's Chairman, said he was delighted to welcome the 380 guests many of whom were using the event as the perfect occasion to celebrate Christmas with their colleagues.  He was equally delighted to thank,  the organisers - Lynn Snead and Gill Price - for all of their hard work in creating a highly successful night out.

The majority of funds raised came from an auction by David Doyle of Jewellery Brokers, the Society's Vice Chairman.  The lots sold included: ‘Lunch for 12’ at The Assay Office Birmingham sponsored by both the Assay Office and  the jewellery manufacturing company Hockley Mint: a stunning Hallmarked Britannia Silver Wine Decanter donated by Rebecca H Joselyn and sponsored by Stuart Wibberley and his team at the bullion company Umicore. 

 Such was the interest by those guests bidding on the evening to acquire one of Rebecca's exceptionally unusual pieces that she agreed to make a further decanter after Cooksongold kindly offered to donate the silver needed to hand-make this second piece. The Benevolent Society and attending guests were delighted with this generosity.

The 4th December saw the 79th British Jewellery & Giftware Federation Benevolent Society Ball take place at The St Johns Hotel, Solihull.

Incorporated within this longstanding Annual Event were the BJA Member Awards which are designed to flag up all that is most excellent about the UK’s extremely diverse jewellery industry: its bright new talent, its design skills and creativity and its capacity to truly serve its customers whether they are other businesses, on-line jewellery buyers or the consumer in the High Street.

The Benevolent Society Ball attracts Guests from the Jewellery Trade and Giftware Associations and other Member Organisations of the British Allied Trades Federation.

David Simons, the Benevolent Society's Chairman, was delighted that over 370 Guests attended the Black Tie Event with many Companies using it as the perfect occasion to celebrate Christmas with Staff and their Colleagues in the Trade.

A Charity Auction was conducted by David Doyle of Jewellery Brokers, the Society's Vice Chairman, and early indications are that about £30,000 was raised on the Evening for Charity. Lots donated for the Auction included Lunch for 12 at The Birmingham Assay Office, a stunning Silver Curve Claret Jug donated by top Silversmith Martyn Pugh, a full VIP Package to an NEC Venue donated by Paul Thandi and Kathryn James of the NEC Group.

The hugely successful Tombola and Raffle were generously supported as always by The Federation's Giftware Association and Michael Papé of Ravensden PLC, the GA Chairman, attended the Event and his Company generously donated some beautiful Tiger Toys that went down very well with the Guests as they bought either these or Teddy Bears donated by Rudells the Jewellers with all of the proceeds going directly to the Charity.

The Benevolent Association Charity was also delighted to receive a substantial donation from The Surface Engineering Association and the Association itself was represented by a Table from Ashton & Moore at The Ball.

Tables at this years Event were taken by many Companies including the NAG, CMJ, Charles Green & Sons, Gems TV, Continental Jewellery, Diamonds Please, Weston Beamor, Hockley Mint, Clogau Gold, Cooksons, C W Sellors, T H March to name but a few.
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The date for next years Benevolent Society Ball is Thursday 3rd December and will also be held at The St Johns Hotel, Solihull following the success of this years Ball and early bird Tickets can be obtained by contacting either Lynn Snead or Gill Price at the Federation.

Each year the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF) organises an outing for the beneficiaries of the charity we support - The British Jewellery, Giftware and Finishing Federation Benevolent Society.
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The outing is designed to be a fun day out for those who may not necessarily be able to visit places on their own. On Thursday 17th July we took 36 beneficiaries to Blenheim Palace where, on arrival, we recharged our batteries with a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake. This was followed by a private tour of the state rooms leaving us some free time to walk around the stunning palace and gardens at leisure. Mid-afternoon we hopped back onto the coach for a short ride to The Duke of Marlborough Country Inn for a fantastic two course meal. On what was one of the most glorious days of the year so far a great day was had by all!

On 6th September 2014 BATF Director (and BJA Chairman) Gary Wroe will attempting to swim from one end of Lake Coniston to the other - 5.25miles http://www.chillswim.com/
WHY?? to raise money for 2 great charities 
The first Edwards Trust they offer a wide range of support services to bereaved families and children. They also offer training and support services for school staff, parents or others working with bereaved children and their families more information is available  http://www.edwardstrust.org.uk/
The second charity is the British Jewellery, Giftware and Finishing Federation Benevolant Society which financially assists individuals that have worked within the jewellery, giftware, surface engineering, travelgoods and fashion accessories industries. http://www.batf.uk.com/en/benevolent-society/
Please sponsor him by following this link  -http://www.sponsorme.co.uk/garywroe/chill-swim-2014.aspx

19 May 2014
Top Silversmith Martyn Pugh has kindly agreed to donate one of his iconic Curve Claret Jugs for The Benevolent Society to Auction at the Benevolent Ball on December 4th 2014 at the St John's Hotel, Solihull.
www.martynpugh.co.uk
The piece will be absolutely unique as it will be signed by Martyn and also set with a D colour IF diamond kindly donated by www.diamondsplease.co.uk 
The silver for this piece has been generously donated by Allgemeine, Birmingham  - www.allgemeine.co.uk
Those interested in purchasing Tickets for this fabulous Night out that also incorporates the BJA Member Jewellery Awards can contact Lynn Snead on 0121 745 4613 
Online booking form here