A POPULAR annual event showcasing the Holme Valley's homegrown musical talents is moving indoors.
An Evening of Music, organised by the memorial hospital’s League of Friends, will take place on Saturday September 5 in Holmfirth Civic Hall.
The fundraising concert will follow the successful formula of recent years, with its relaxed cabaret-style setting and the usual invitation to bring your own food and drink, picnic-style.
Past events were held in the hospital grounds, attracting large audiences and raising a total of £5,000-plus to provide extra facilities and comforts for the hospital patients.
But twice in the last three years Music In The Park had to be cancelled because of the atrocious weatherconditions.
After the 2008 show was rained off, the organisers decided “enough was enough”. The civic hall was booked for this year’s concert, which will be compèred by well known broadcaster with local connections Jon Hammond.
His appearance is a welcome boost – and a link with the past as he previously opened the League of Friends’ Garden Fete, forerunner of Music In The Park.
The ‘friends’ have also managed to secure the same line-up as planned for 12 months ago – including Hade Edge Band whose reputation continues to go from strength to strength with inspirational musical director Simon Wood celebrating 10 years at the helm.
The highlight of 2009 so far was finishing second in the Yorkshire regional championships.
Next month Hade Edge will be aiming for further glory in the national finals at Harrogate.
For the League of Friends event the band will again be playing free of charge, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Edgar Dickinson.
Vocal Expressions ladies’ choir has more than doubled in size from a core of 20 founder members just over 12 years ago. Enthusiasm for singing has always been the main qualification for aspiring members. The choir is now much in demand with concert appearances near and far.
Soloist Helen Woodhead has continued a family tradition with her love of singing. A member of Lindley Church Amateur Operatic Society and Great Horton Theatre Company, Bradford, she recently starred in the Yorkshire premiere of The Likes of Us, a previously unknown early work by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Proceeds of An Evening of Music will help to kit out a relatives’ rest room – part of the League of Friends’ continuing support for the Holme Valley Memorial as it embarks on a new era of patient care.
Maple ward is set to move into the new hospital extension this weekend and evidence of the League’s help will be all around.
Treasurer Pauline Taylor says: “We’ve provided various equipment for the new ward including hoists for the bathroom.
“Also we’ve paid for two garden areas to be set out for the patients. One area includes different surfaces and steps to help with physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
“The other is more of a general purpose garden area. Patients will have direct access through patio doors opening out into the garden.
“The matron Julia Calcraft has told us she believes these extras will make a big difference and can all help towards a patient’s recovery.
“The garden can also be accessed from the relatives’ room, where we will be helping to provide fittings and furnishings.”
An Evening with Music organised by the Holme Valley League of Friends takes place at Holmfirth Civic Hall at 7.30pm on Saturday September 5.
Please note: there will be noŠfood or drink on sale in the hall, but feel free to bring your own picnic-style refreshments.
CONTACT: Tickets are on sale, priced £7.50 from Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre, 49-51 Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth (phone 01484 222444), the hospital reception or any committee member.
