Glastonbury Without the Mud - Free Concert on Saturday July 6th a Resounding Success

Just when you thought ‘Things can’t get any better’ with our recent summer weather, along comes another wonderful and FREE community concert at St Cuthbert’s Church. So mark your diary for this Saturday, 6^th July at 6:30 pm.

We’ll be entertained by The Fortunes (4 Tunes, close to Fortune Green? All very clever) consisting of Nicky Rogal (soprano), Ruth Foxman (mezzo-soprano), Alan Fairburn (clarinet) and Clare Sunderland (piano). Amongst this talented foursome, their experiences range from professional West End singing in ‘Cats’, Old-time Music Hall, and numerous choirs; playing in several London bands and orchestras; teaching music to aspiring college students, and playing chamber music together.

For over 10 years, The Fortunes have been doing gigs all over London, plying their many talents in the aid of numerous charity events. This concert is in aid of the newly formed Garden Friends NW2 who aim to serve our community with their ‘Green-up & Clean-up’ Fordwych Road initiative. You may have already seen the first lovely treepit gardens springing up along Fordwych Road due to our ‘Adopt a Tree’ programme for local residents. This initiative will continue along with several others including creating a quiet contemplative garden and gardening spot on St Cuthbert’s Church grounds.

This is all about vibrant community-building in our neighbourhood. So instead of just using Fordwych Road as a nameless, faceless passageway to and from home to wherever else our lives take us, why not join our neighbours for a bit of convivial entertainment and support a good cause at the same time, all within easy walking distance! London doesn’t have to be a place of total disconnected anonymity, and neighbourhoods can serve many more of our needs if we just make the effort. If you’ve lived here a long time or a short time, come along. If you own your property or rent, come along. If you’re young or old, come along. If you’re British or not British, come along. If you’re a gardener or not, come along. Things are changing on Fordwych Road, and it starts with us.

P R O G R A M M E

Lost is my Quiet                (a lament)                                 Henry Purcell (1656-95)

Two duets from The Mikado                                            Arthur Sullivan

“Braid the raven hair” and “Speculation”             (words by W.S.Gilbert)

Lullaby: “Sweet and Low” (Tennyson)                                       J. Barnby

Sea Pictures Op. 37, No 4                                                     Edward Elgar

Where Corals Lie (words by E.Y. Harburg)

Suite from The Victorian Vegetable Garden                            Paul Reade

Prelude - Spring - Mists - Exotica - Summer 

Poems

Danny Boy                                                                          traditional Irish

How are things in Glocca Morra? (E.Y. Harburg)                 Burton Lane

Die Schwestern (The Sisters) Op. 61, No 1                    Johannes Brahms

                                          

Someone to watch over me                                George and Ira Gershwin

So, the concert was held last night as advertised. There was a great turnout of supporters 'in the neighbourhood' of 50 people who enjoyed a wonderful evening of entertainment by The Fortunes as well as a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other over refreshments afterwards. The monetary donations exceeded our expectations as well, and so Thank You for your contributions to our community gardening project. It will be put to good use, you can be assured. Thanks to all who helped organise and advertise this event behind the scenes and special thanks to each one of The Fortunes for their splendid performances to brighten up our little corner of the world. Why not make this an Annual Event!

Here is a link to photos taken at the concert by fellow Garden Friend and photographer Adrian Pope as well. Thanks Adrian.