A DINNER dance celebrating 200 years of auctioneering raised £17,500 for two charities.

Nearly 500 guests attended the event, held by the L&K Group in the newly built exhibition hall at J36 Rural Auction Centre, Crooklands.

In 1818 the Hodgson family started Auctioneering for the then Kendal Auction Mart. The connection with the Hodgson family and North West Auctions continues to this day through M B Hodgson & Son Limited, the wholly-owned subsidiary company which trades as NWA Professional.

Group director Jonathan Hodgson is also a direct descendant of that very same Hodgson family.

Guest were welcomed with a reception drink and then seated to a three course meal which was expertly prepared by Karen Rhodes Catering where guests carved their own joints of beef at the table.

Chairman John Drinkall welcomed guests and presented long service awards to members of staff who have worked for the company for 25 years or more. Jonathan Hodgson then took to the stage to talk on behalf of the Hodgson family, giving history about the family and auctioneering at Kendal Auction Mart.

Guests were then entertained by auctioneers Michael Mashiter and Ian Atkinson who conducted the charity auction where 13 lots had the chance to be bid.

A silent auction with 27 lots was also held throughout the evening.

Guests had a chance to have a look around the hall before the band ‘Soul Survivors’ got the dancefloor buzzing and partying into the night.

All money raised will be split between the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, who offer financial support to farming people in hardship, and the North West Air Ambulance.