The Farnham Charity supporting local people in need

Concert at Farnham Castle - Press release

THE HEDGEHOGS GENTLY ROCK THE CASTLE

It is rare that The Hedgehogs, our own local fundraising group, present an event as much for their own enjoyment as for purely raising money to help local causes. Recently they managed to satisfy themselves, and raise a few pounds in the process, by holding a 1960s concert in the Grand Hall at Farnham Castle.

The show was organised by Cyril Trust, himself a Hedgehog, and Sue Lampard, who is musical director for a well known a cappella ladies choir called In Accord. Over two thirds of the Hedgehogs membership were in the audience with their wives and partners, and sat back to hear some first class music from the era when most of them were in their early twenties. Apart from President, Jack Stacey and his wife Gill, Current Chairman, David Stevens and his wife Alison, and Peter Watts one of the founders of The Hedgehogs, other special guests were former Mayor of Farnham and Waverley, Carole Cockburn and her husband, Alisdair, and Head of Learning & Standards for Farnham College Terry Horner and his wife, Anita.

The show began with some excellent singing from In Accord, and included a session where the audience were ‘persuaded’ to take part. First soloist was Tegan Creedy, whose slight frame hides a powerful voice, followed by Danny Gortler singing at the piano and the junior choir conducted by Sue Lampard, and called Minor Chord. The second half took off with a rocking set of songs by Holly Darby, who is studying at the Guildford Academy of Music, and then some great singing from Josh Dixon, who is appearing soon in ‘Beauty & the Beast’ at The Phoenix Theatre, Bordon. The choir returned and built towards a ‘Beatles Finale’ with the singers and the choirs singing Lennon & MacCartney songs. The evening was full of memories of Dusty Springfield, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Beach Boys and Simon & Garfunkel, and the audience greatly appreciated the talent on stage for the show.

Cyril Trust, master of ceremonies, closed the show and invited Carole Cockburn to say a few words. She praised the work that The Hedgehogs do and felt that Farnham were lucky to have such generous people to help the needy. She also praised the performers and said what talent lives in and around Farnham. An evening to remember and hopefully the start of another regular event from this go-ahead organisation.

Holly Darby and Tegan Creedy Creedy

‘In Accord’

‘Minor Chord’ -junior version of ‘In Accord’