Egham's Georgian Ball

The Community of Egham are respectfully informed there will be a Ball at The Literary Institute, Egham on Saturday the 31st of January, 2026

For one night only you can experience what it was like to attend a ball in 18th century Egham.

This living history event will follow the long-held tradition of hosting balls at the Egham Assembly Rooms (now The Literary Institute) from the late 1770s into the mid-19th century.

Highlights of the event will include:

• Performances of 18th century dances by The Bath Minuet Company accompanied by live music and a chance to learn the steps.
• A showcase performance of the 'Egham Assembly Minuet'. This has been authentically re-created using a 1780 musical score held by the S.A. Oliver Charitable Settlement *
• A tribute performance of 'Bushy Park', composed by Ignatius Sancho in 1779. Sancho was the first black person of African origin to vote in parliamentary elections in Britain. He passed away in 1780, the year of the Egham Assembly Minuet.
• Georgian games (including parlour games, chess, draughts and cards games from the period)
• An exhibition on the Georgian period - including stories of inspiring individuals with links to the local area.
• A showcase of artworks by Egham Watercolour Society, Runnymede Art Society, Royal Holloway Art Society and Royal Holloway Craft Society.
• Poetry recitals by the Egham Poetry Hub
• Light refreshments
• A bar run by the Red Lion pub serving alcohol and soft drinks

So, tog up (dress) in your best Georgian attire and join us for a night of amiable jollity (well mannered fun). Join our dance caller to learn your Minuet from your La Boulanger and then retire to our games room to try your hand at Whist or Brag. Be assured no Bonnetters (swindlers) will be present. Indeed, all games will be for amusement and no wagers or high stakes will be set (no gambling alllowed).

This event has been kindly funded by The National Lottery Fund as part of Egham Museum's two year project called 'Our Museum: Reconnecting Community and Collections.

It is being hosting in collaboration with The Gig at the End of the World; Runnymede Games Society; Egham Watercolour Society; Royal Holloway Craft Society; Royal Holloway Art Society; Runnymede Art Society and Egham Poetry Hub.

*The Egham Assembly Minuet has been composed with professional musicians using our 1780 musical score and choreographed by The Bath Minuet Company using traditional steps.