Over 200 people from Leicester’s business community dressed in ball gowns and black ties for the latest Lord’s Taverners event with a difference.

Leicester Cathedral hosted the event, which took place on May 19th. The Inaugural balloon debate saw three celebrity speakers attempt to win the approval of the audience by debating which historical character would be best placed to support Kind Richard in his hour of need on the battlefield. The audience voted which celebrity would be ejected from an imaginary ‘’fast sinking’ hot air balloon before the winner was crowned. Nick Hancock kicked off the debate and represented the legendary footballing icon Roy of the Rovers. This was followed by Caroline Aston who put forward a very saucy side to Florence Nightingale, leaving Angela Knight CBE to round off the event with an inspired and humorous show of support for Richard the Third’s mum, Cecile Neville.
Ian Guyler, Chair of the East Midlands Lords Taverners said ‘ What a fantastic opportunity to have the cathedral for the only public dining night of the year, we were very honoured indeed. The event was a huge success and all three of our celebrities really grasped the concept of the debate and through themselves into making it a huge success’
This was the latest in the Lord’s Taverners innovative programme of fun and engaging fundraising events which have earned a reputation for excellence among the business community of Leicestershire and beyond. The final total raised was £2,500 for the cathedral, and over £8,000 for the Lords Taverners and Loros.