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Formation of the Ladies’ Luncheon Club
Ladies’ Luncheon Club Booking Form
Ladies’ Luncheon Club Rules

To be held at
GLYNDEBOURNE OPERA HOUSE, MILDMAY HALL
By kind permission of Mr & Mrs Gus Christie
on MONDAY 31ST OCTOBER 2011

You can download the Bridge Supper application form, by clicking HERE

A capacity crowd of 120 enjoyed the lively and haunting Celtic music of Dutch band Harmony Glen at High Hurstwood village hall on Friday 22 July.

The group played both traditional and contemporary tunes – described as ‘Irish folk with a twist’ in their inimitably energetic style, and generously donated the proceeds from this date on their latest tour to support local hospices. An estimated £2,500 was raised.

Harmony Glen formed in Holland in 2005 and while their music is based on Irish-Celtic folk music, sounds from all over the world are also woven in. They have already released three albums and their stage performances a re renowned.

The audience was greeted on arrival by a glass of ‘fizz’, closely followed by a delicious supper provided and served by Friends of East Sussex Hospices volunteers.

“Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening and Harmony Glen excelled themselves entertaining us.” said event organiser Annabelle Marten.

FESH Chair and High Sheriff of East Sussex Kathy Gore with Mrs Annabelle Marten FESH Fundraising Committee member who organised the Harmony Glen concert

Harmony Glen in action

The black tie event began with a pre-concert picnic in the grounds of the Castle, with guests entertained by the lively tones of Ticklers Swing Band.

The LFO has performed for the royal family and the prime minister and at palaces, embassies and renowned opera houses throughout the world. The Herstmonceux programme ranged from lighthearted Gilbert and Sullivan to love songs from the great operas, and was hugely enjoyed by the guests, while the 30 minute champagne interval was described as ‘the best drinks party in the Sussex social calendar’.

Organised and chaired by Friends of East Sussex Hospices (FESH) patron Mrs Sallie Hendry, the event was a great success. “Even the weather supported us,” said Kathy Gore, High Sheriff of East Sussex and FESH Chairman. “Funds raised on this enjoyable night will benefit nine local hospices and we are grateful for everyone’s contributions and generosity.”

The raffle, which raised £2,600, offered some exciting prizes including a case of champagne and – the star prize – a bronze sculpture of St Francis by respected Sussex sculptor Mary Cox.

The FESH concert is an annual event and the next will be held on 30 June 2012 at Pashley Manor, Ticehurst.

The Eastbourne area has several fine choral societies. The Aanna Colls Singers are unusual in being relatively few, but they more than make up for their smaller numbers. Their close ties to their trainer and conductor Aanna Colls (a distinguished mezzo soprano with whom many of them study the singing art) enable them to undertake works which might over-tax many a group. On April 9th in All Saints Church they showed precisely what this tight musical organisation can achieve.

The opening work Blest Pair of Sirens by late-Victorian Parry is a good, old-fashioned “sing” in which the choir showed its ability to attack the music as required, here powerful, there sensitive, always in tune, and with words as audible as the composer allowed. David Force at the organ lived up to his name and reputation. The contrasting Ave Verum by Byrd (born 1543) enabled eight choir members to project this exquisite early English music perfectly, the two sopranos so much better than the usual choirboys we hear in this motet.

Britten’s fiendishly difficult unaccompanied Hymn to St Cecilia sent everyone out for the interval either marvelling that they had heard so rare a performance, or revising their prejudice that Britten is “too modern for me”. Even some of Auden’s strange words were audible. So it was no surprise that the second half, which was mainly Elgar, was a connoisseur’s delight.

Song for Athene by Tavener (our modern musical knight) and Finzi’s Lo the full, final sacrifice framed the three Elgar items. Tavener was unaccompanied; Finzi had David Force again in fine form. Gerald Finzi (unlike Britten) seldom pulled the natural rhythm of the language about in his settings; and as a result we heard most of Crashaw’s words. The choral sound here was as good as in the three Elgar works.

A stroke of genius was to give pianist, Francis Rayner, four solos, which were delivered with delicate artistry. John Field’s Fifth Nocturne made us realize how much Chopin owed to this Dubliner. Our local composer Bridge was represented by Rosemary. Elgar’s Salut d’amour and Bantock’s Song to the Seals (forever associated with John McCormack) made a delicious confection, impeccably served.

As usual with this choir, we had “firm but friendly” direction by a conductor who really knows what she wants, and how to get it. The programme-notes (put together by Rosemary Morris) were, as ever, a model of information and presentation. I am delighted to see that this group of singers will be taking part in the coming first Meads Music Festival, where they will be performing in All Saints Chapel (handsomely renovated in Meads) on Sunday May 29th. Don’t miss them !

A team of six International Events Management students, called Oh My Gosh Events, put together a wonderful Venetian masked ball – MASQUERAID – in Brighton on Saturday 26th March as part of their course work, raising a fantastic £4,000 for local hospices. Simon Fanshawe was a most entertaining compere and Mark Stacey, of BBC’s Bargain Hunt and Flog It, conducted the auction for prizes including a weekend in Venice (courtesy of DialAFlight) and an all-inclusive Portuguese villa holiday (courtesy of The Villa Agency).
Guests were serenaded by Glyndebourne opera singers Thomasin Trezise and Paul Austin Kelly and later by swing singer Matthew vanKan and ended the evening dancing to the lively music of local musicians the KJO Radio Band.
The monies raised at MASQUERAID will be donated to Friends of East Sussex Hospices which support the nine local hospices serving East Sussex, Brighton & Hove.

A fabulous Masquerade Ball (MasquerAID)is to be held by Brighton University students on Saturday 26th March as part of their International Event Management degree with the proceeds going to local hospices.

Taking place in the beautiful Paganini Ballroom at The Barceló Old Ship Hotel, the masked/black tie event promises glamour, entertainment and intrigue. Compère for the evening is Simon Fanshawe, the broadcaster and writer who has lived in Brighton since 1975. Simon is Chair of the University of Sussex. Diners will be serenaded Venetian style Mark Stacey, star of BBC’s Flog It and Bargain Hunt, will conduct an after-dinner auction with fantastic prizes.

Tickets cost £50 to include a reception cocktail and a fine three-course Italian meal. Further details can be found on the website www.ohmygosh-masqueraid.co.uk. The students are seeking support from local people and businesses. Sponsorship opportunities are still available – contact Giséle Waterfall on 07939 259724 or by email at gisele@exec.co.uk. Ticket sales are racing so early application is advised.

Funds raised will be passed on to Friends of East Sussex Hospices (FESH) which supports hospices caring for people in East Sussex, Brighton & Hove

The campaign calls for willing hosts or hostesses to ask friends, family, schoolmates or work colleagues to a food event of any kind, inviting a discretionary donation to FESH for our hospices. It is hoped that everyone, not just foodies, will answer the call and come up with innovative ideas – absolutely anything goes! Hostess packs, which include invitation cards and a NOSHCHEZNOUS apron will be sent to anyone wishing to hold an event.

Marco Pierre White said of NOSHCHEZNOUS

“This is a wonderful way to enjoy the pleasurable experience of cooking for family and friends while supporting local hospices which help so many of our families and friends.“

FESH Chairman, Kathy Gore, commented: “I hope that Sussex will take NOSHCHEZNOUS into its homes and hearts to help our hospices continue to deliver their care when it is most needed. Our hospices survive thanks to local support. Sussex hospices are the most poorly funded group of hospices in the UK, receiving only 22% state funding compared to the 32% national average.