The trustees of the Society have made the decision to cancel the charity’s annual Black-Tie Christmas Ball for this year. The well attended and much anticipated industry event featuring the NAJ Awards was due to take place at the St John’s Hotel, Solihull, on Thursday 3 December.
Whilst inevitable due to the current global pandemic, the decision to cancel the Ball for this year is disappointing for both the charity and regular attendees. The popular Christmas ‘party’ event usually raises circa £30,000 for the charity to help individuals who have worked in the industries that fall under the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF) umbrella and have fallen on hard times and also those who are starting or progressing their career journeys in these industries.
David Doyle, Vice Chairman and Treasurer says: ‘Whilst we are very disappointed to have to make this announcement we must put the safety of people first and with this in mind this was the only sensible decision that we could make having looked into various scenarios. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
‘We know that our 400 regular attendees love a good party though and so we are undaunted, and plans are already underway to ensure that the 2021 Christmas Ball makes up for 2020! It will be held at St John’s Hotel, Solihull on Thursday 2 December 2021, so please put the date in your diaries!’
The Benevolent Society is a charity aimed providing support for those who  are studying to begin their career in the industry sectors covered by the National Association of Jewellers, British Travelgoods and Accessories Association, The Giftware Association, the Jewellery Distributors’ Association and the Surface Engineering Association, or those who used to work in these industry sectors who in old age or through infirmity find that they cannot manage on their pension and/or other benefits. Your employer does not have to have been a member of any of the above-mentioned trade associations. So, if you have worked in these industries (or know of someone who has) and need help and support, get in touch with them.