A beautiful garden, a vintage tent and convivial company – the perfect ingredients for a quintessential English fundraising event.
On Thursday 6th June 2024, trustees and key supporters of the Wiltshire Music Centre (WMC) gathered in the grounds of Grade II-listed, timber-framed Ashton House in Steeple Ashton, to fundraise for Bradford on Avon’s purpose-built concert hall and to enjoy a classic English country evening, as they usually do, once a year.
And what a night it was! Nearly 100 Friends and regular audience members of the Centre bought tickets to this year’s event, which was generously hosted in the impressive garden of supporters Riqui and Simon Oliver. Their head gardener, Dide Lucas, took the time to lead a tour of the ponds, sculptures, alcoves, lawns and pathways while explaining her biodynamic approach, much to the gratitude of guests.
Meanwhile, on the back lawn nearest the house, guests enjoyed live music from both Chris Hawkins, a classical pianist and pupil from St Laurence School, and the Rhys Ponting Quartet which is led by Rhys, a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist who has played with both the Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra (WYJO) and the West of England Youth Orchestra (WEYO).
Vintage Marquees provided an old-fashioned tent, complete with pretty bunting, Fat Fowl Kitchens donated sweet and savoury canapes, Kettlesmith Brewing contributed local craft ales and Great Wine Co gifted wine and fizz. WMC staff and volunteers ensured everyone was comfortable, well-fed and watered and local photographer and Friend of Wiltshire Music Centre, Barry Savell, took beautiful photographs.
Towards the end of the evening, James Slater, CEO and Clare Langrishe, Director of Comms, both gave speeches followed by the highlight of the night – the Grand Raffle, with prizes donated by local businesses. Hosted by Zone Club’s producer Karl Bevis, this part of the evening raised a spectacular £1150!
Overall, the total income raised for the evening was £4572 which was just shy of our £4750 target for the event. As an arts charity, we rely on ticket sales, donations and gifts in wills to continue our work, so this was an amazing and welcome result. Thanks to everyone who attended and/or donated – we were really pleased with the event and look forward to next year’s – location to be revealed! And if you would still like to make a donation to help us reach our goal, we’d be very grateful too – just use the donation slider below.
Photographs by Barry Savell. Please contact him by email with any enquiries barry@savell.co.uk
To find out more about Fundraising and Membership events, and next year’s Garden Party, please sign up here
