Marton turns back the clock with debutante ball

Time will be turned back in Marton on Saturday night... but not as a protest against the return of daylight saving.
Instead, as many as 400 people will make the transition to another, more genteel, era when it was traditional for young ladies to be formerly introduced to society.
Most elements of that tradition will be recreated when 24 young women from Marton, Palmerston North and Wanganui are presented at a debutante ball ? the first in Marton for eight years and a relatively rare occurrence anywhere in this country these days.
The ball is being hosted by Marton and District Pipe Band and Heather School of Dance so will have a strong Scottish flavour in keeping with the fact that many of the debutantes come from a Highland dancing background.
The guest of honour, who will formerly receive the debutantes, will be Marton and District Pipe Band and Scottish Society patron, Trevor Rose, QSM.
After being piped into the Memorial Hall, accompanied by flag bearers and flower girls, the young women will each present themselves to Mr Rose with a traditional St James Bow.
When all have been presented, they will join their male escorts for the Debutante's Waltz.
Organising committee spokesperson Robyn Berry, said it was great to have so many young women, from different walks of life, wanting to participate in an event as old-fashioned as a debutante ball.
The occasion is also significant in being the last of the Marton 125th anniversary celebration events so the ceremony will also feature and official toast to the town.
And that uniquely Scottish fare ? the haggis ? will also be ceremonially paraded, presented and addressed in true Scottish style.
Mrs Berry said that while pomp and ceremony would be an important part of the occasion it was also about having fun, so the evening would continue with modern and old-time dancing with Wanganui band Flash Back, as well as Scottish jigs and reels with the Marton Pipe Band providing the music.
A limited number of tickets for the ball, at $20 a person, were still available from Maggie May in Marton.
There will be no door sales.