A noble banquet for a "joust" cause
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A FORRES family has organised a medieval banquet in Elgin for a "joust" cause - the Epilepsy Society.
The meal, on January 19 at Elgin City Football Club, has been organised by the Hall family from Balnaferry following their son Daniel’s diagnosis with the condition.
"It’s going to be great fun," said Daniel’s mother, Tina Hall. "The audience will be invited to dress up and there will be stocks, a jester, serving wenches, a king and queen as well as knights in armour."
Daniel lived in Forres briefly before starting an apprenticeship at celebrity cook Jamie Oliver’s restaurant "15" in Cornwall. He was given the chance after "going off the rails" when he was diagnosed with epilepsy aged 16.
"My son’s epilepsy seemed to come from nowhere," said Tina. "Daniel was given counselling while he worked in Cornwall. Prior to that he just thought: ‘Why me?’.
"When he was diagnosed with epilepsy it totally changed his life and it still worries me now."
Daniel (21) is a responsible adult now and working as a successful chef in Birmingham.
His sister Rebecca has also been working hard to raise funds for the family’s chosen charity. She will be running the London Marathon in April as one of only 20 representatives from the Epilepsy Society.
"The charity works really hard in terms of support and for research into making epilepsy easier to live with or eventually not at all.
"It means so much to me and my family and I’m determined to complete the marathon.
"I regularly run around Culbin Forest and along the beach to Nairn. The area around Forres is a beautiful place to train."
Rebecca and her mother Tina are also holding a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses including Maclean’s Highland Bakery, Ashers, Highland Beauty Clinic, Moray Dance School and ReBOOT to raise money for their chosen charity.
The Heritage Centre has also offered its support and will be providing battle re-enactments at the medieval banquet in Elgin.
Contact Tina’s friend Rose on 07766561337 for tickets and further information about the medieval banquet. You can also sponsor Rebecca’s London Marathon entry at www.justgiving.com/RebeccaHallRunner
Tickets for the raffle are available at Mackenzie and Cruickshank.
See this week’s Gazette for the full story.
