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Grayshott hosts biggest concert yet thanks to council grant

Monday 2nd of February 2009

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Grayshott is going to host its biggest ever concert with a world renowned artist - thanks to a grant from East Hampshire District Council.

Grayshott Concerts has used the £1922.67 given to it by EHDC to buy portable stage units which can easily be dismantled, rather than borrowing them from a local school.

The volunteer-run classical music promoters have been staging concerts at St Luke's Church since 2004.

And the concerts are so popular that they now sell out months in advance with music-lovers snapping up tickets the moment they go on sale.

Cllr Ferris Cowper, the Leader of East Hampshire District Council and the local councillor for Grayshott, helped unload the new staging when it arrived.

He said: "Grayshott Concerts are bringing international performers to the village and I am delighted that East Hampshire District Council can help them to do this.

"They are really putting Grayshott on the map as a centre of excellence for classical music in the area.

"It's enabling local people to experience the wonders of great live music without all the hassle and cost of travelling miles to see them."

Grayshott Concerts artistic director, Vivien Harrison, said: "I can hardly believe it's all happening at last.

"Without this staging we could never expect to present the huge orchestras we need for our ever more ambitious events.

"It's going to be such an asset."

Peter Harrison, who helps organise the concerts, said: "We've had to rely on borrowing staging from the Primary School - and further afield - and bear the cost of transportation.

"Now that we have our own we can lend it to other suitable volunteer groups in Grayshott and surrounding villages."

The first Grayshott Concerts event to benefit from the new staging, and accommodate an orchestra of almost 40-strong, is a performance of "Stabat Mater" by Karl Jenkins who is planning to attend the concert, in person, together with his wife.

A handful of tickets at £25 may still be available on 01428 606666.

The total cost for the equipment was nearly £20,000 and grants came from the Co-operative Community Fund, National Lottery (Awards for All) and SITA Trust - as well as from EHDC.