The hunt ball at the Shirehall was the high point of social life in Worcestershire at the turn of the 19th century. All the county nobility were there, and the company included 'all who was anyone', and numbered 4378. It was the fashionable function of the year and no money was spared to create a setting to show off the brilliant jewels and dresses, and the scarlet uniforms of the hunt. The Worcester Herald of January 18, 1896 reported the scene at some length:
'The whole of the Shirehall was devoted to the purposes of the gathering, and the building received very tasteful adornment at the hands of Mr. George Holloway, art decorator of Hereford, who is however a native of Worcester.
'Entering by a covered way at the east front of the building, the guests found the entrance hall laid with rich oriental carpets, and beneath the staircase was a prettily decorated little grotto, with fancy lamps of various colours sparkling among a group of plants. The corridor was laid with crimson carpets, the window recesses being filled with plants and creepers, in boxes of cork, and hung with Japanese bead curtains. The Magistrates Room, approaching the ballroom, was the first of a series of luxuriously furnished rooms, some handsome groups of plants filling in the corners. The lobby was similarly utilized and decorated'.
'Delight was generally expressed at the appearance of the ballroom. The most notable feature in the large hall was the bandstand, which faced the guests on entering. On the wall behind was an arch-topped back-ground, on which was displayed in large gold colours the initials of the Hunt Club, while the front of the bandstand consisted of rustic work arranged in cork, and decked with evergreens, beautiful ivy bought from Herefordshire woods being especially noticeable. The scene disclosed on the front of the bandstand was particularly appropriate, a flight of pheasants from the cover , caused by the appearance of foxes, being shown. Some four stuffed foxes and pheasants in the natural attitude of flight when disturbed, were very effectively used. The front of the bandstand was hung with figured plushette, relieved with golden cornucopia.
'The large windows at each end of the room were filled with cork frames, which were draped with white material, upon which was a delicate tracery of ivy, bamboo, ferns and plants, and beneath was a deep border of evergreens and palms. The decoration of these windows was relieved by two columns draped with crimson and gold. The heads of the doorways leading to the ballroom were concealed with half-circular frames, covered with crimson, and decorated with gold shields bearing foxes masks and other hunting trophies. The background of the decorations round the walls was composed of rich blue figured plushette, upon which scores of large mirrors were exhibited around the room. The mirrors were draped with gold brackets and pots of flowers, a pretty effect being introduced by a beautiful creeper suspended in front of each of the mirrors. At each end of the room was a dais, laid with crimson carpets, and furnished with handsome settees, chairs and lounges, and from which views could be leisurely obtained of the brilliant scene'.
'Each doorway was draped with rich chenille curtains. The decorations of the gallery over the principal entrance were carried to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling, from which commenced a handsome arrangement of drapery terminating at the doorway. The sides of the gallery were filled with groups of plants and flowers, the front was covered with choice silk material, the center being occupied by a large bison's head. The vestibule was as usual, converted into a retiring room. Here there was a miniature jungle, animal life being represented by specimens of the taxidermist's art displayed among the woodwork and greenery of the pretty retreat... The elegant furniture was supplied and fixed the electric light fittings'. The elegant furniture was supplied by Messrs . W.F. Webb of the High Street, and Mr. Santonna of Sidbury supplied and fixed the electric light fittings'.
'Viscount Deerhurst chaperoned the ladies from Croome Court, his lady in amber sating with the most exquisite Brussels lace, diamond tiara and beautiful necklace. Lady Ampthill, lovely in rich white sating with sleeved full and drooping, violets, orchids, jewels and diamond tiara, and so on... The County Hall made a handsome ballroom. Perhaps the decorations looked at first a trifle somber and heavy, but when the room was filled with beautiful dresses, and the heavy, and the brilliant scarlet uniforms of the hunt, the dark drapery on the walls only afforded a good background.