18/05/2026
BELLA’S BIRTHDAY BASH
It’s not often that we get to come alongside a birthday celebration as extraordinary as this one, And it was such a pleasure. Calderwood really came into her own!
Bella invited 160 of her nearest and dearest to celebrate her 60th. 80 guests arrived on Friday and were treated to a barbecue dinner. The theme was “Dinner in Denim” with all the guests dressing in denims .
The Gala dinner on Saturday started with Cocktail Hour in the front garden with Hot Canapés, champagne and G&Ts with Supper taking place in the Function Room, set beautifully in black and white. The main course was a carvery buffet with all the trimmings. Dessert comprised cheesecakes, chocolate eclairs, Malva pudding and chocolate brownies (ALL Bella’s favourites!)
Cream of butternut soup was also available during the evening for those who wanted something warm.
Bella made some really beautiful speeches where she picked out a person from each table and spoke about how they had touched her life in a special way! (Even I was singled out as I met Bella about 30 years ago when we were catering for a Draping Course that Bella was attending in Durban. She never forgot how delish the Lasagne was and all the other fare on offer!)
90 guests stayed over requiring we turn our Pavilion into a dormitory for the weekend with the last of the guests leaving after breakfast on Monday morning.
We were chuffed to see one very, very happy Bella! Guests are taken care of as if they are our very own family; good food and wonderful caring staff.
