IT’S a firm favourite on the summer calendar and once more the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be enchanting the folk of Southend, thanks to Rayleigh Mill Rotary Club.
Crowds are expected to gather for the open-air event in Priory Park to enjoy an evening of beautiful music from the world-renowned orchestra, along with a spot of Pimms and a picnic.
It’s the 16th year for the annual event and funds will be raised for military charity Help for Heroes and the Lady McAdden Breast Screening Unit in Westcliff.
Rayleigh Mill Rotary president Alan Clark says: “We’re quite a new club as far as Rotary’s concerned, we were only formed in 1995.
“The event was started when a small number of us said, ‘wouldn’t it be nice if we could do a big outdoor concert in a park, with a good orchestra, something like the Royal Philharmonic.”
The event has become a popular regular date and last year saw over 5,000 people gather for the evening.
The orchestra will once again be conducted by Southend man David Arnold.
One of Alan’s favourite things about the night is the mixture of people who enjoy it. He says: “It is a great event. We encourage people to bring their own chairs and turn up with picnics. Some bring tables and candelabras, and dress in dinner suits while others turn up in shorts and T-shirts.
“It is is sort of like the last night at the proms when you get people who are very dressy as well as those who just come to listen to the music.”
Alan will take to the stage himself as singer for the Wheelies, the Sixties tribute band who’ll get the crowd warmed up before the main event.
“It’s fantasic,” says Alan, who’s performed at the occasion twice before. “It’s as brilliant an atmosphere for us , as the band, as for the people watching. We get a real buzz out of it.”
There will be a number of food outlets as well as a beer and wine bar and, of course, a Pimms tent.
Concert in the Park, Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, Southend. Saturday. Gates open 4pm. Programme starts at 7pm.
£20. £18 for children under 13. 01702 428888 www.concertinthepark.org.uk
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