Lyn Hammant, Jeanette Allsopp, Clive Birch and Val Richards

Lichfield District Council welcomes £1,500 grant from Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust to help stage 2013’s Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park.

Now in its fifteenth year, Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park is taking place on Saturday 7 September. This huge outdoor concert will feature The British Police Symphony Orchestra, the City of Lichfield Concert band, children’s entertainment and a fireworks finale.

It’s an event that attracts thousands of people from across the region, and to keep the event free for everyone, Lichfield District Council approaches businesses and organisations to help it to raise the money needed to stage its outdoor concert extravaganza.

One such sponsor is Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust that has recently awarded the council a grant of £1,500.

Councillor Val Richards, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have secured this very generous funding boost and we are so grateful to the trust for their continued support of Beacon Park.

“So far, we’ve managed to raise a third of the sponsorship needed to stage this year’s proms, so we are still urging anyone who would like to get involved in this fantastic evening of entertainment to get in touch.”

Sponsoring proms offers businesses a great way to reach thousands of local people and visitors. Sponsors can benefit from their logos appearing on posters, leaflets, the glossy programme, and on the Lichfield Proms website. Sponsors also feature in news stories and have prime seats at the event – right in front of the stage as well as VIP parking.

Sponsorship packages start from as little as £50 and companies can also take advantage of a special corporate entertainment package.

Alan Birch, Clerk to the Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust, said: “This is the seventieth anniversary of Colonel Swinfen Broun’s gift of 12 acres of land to Beacon Park, to extend the recreation grounds. Therefore, it is fitting for Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust to maintain its long association with this historic and beautiful park. Lichfield Proms is a wonderful community event that is both entertaining and culturally important, and we are pleased to support it.”

To find out more about the sponsorship packages on offer, please email rhiannon.brearley@lichfielddc.gov.uk or call 01543 308774.

Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park

Lichfield District Council is calling on local businesses to make this summer’s concert in the park the best yet.

Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park is a free event for the whole family, and Lichfield District Council is hoping plenty of sponsors will come forward to help raise the money needed to help stage its fifteenth outdoor concert extravaganza.

2013’s Lichfield Proms is taking place on Saturday 7 September, when thousands of local people will gather in Beacon Park for a spectacular evening of entertainment. Set to feature The British Police Symphony Orchestra, the City of Lichfield Concert Band, children’s entertainment, and a fireworks finale, it is the event to end the summer in style.

Richard Lewis, President of Lichfield Chamber of Trade & Commerce, said: “We supported Lichfield Proms in 2012 for the first time and were really proud to be involved. Being a part of the fabulous evening, and having experienced the benefit to the district, we have decided to increase our support this year.”

Sponsoring proms offers businesses a great way to reach thousands of local people and visitors. Sponsors can benefit from their logos appearing on posters, leaflets, the glossy programme, and on the Lichfield Proms website. Sponsors also feature in news stories and have VIP parking and prime seats at the event – right in front of the stage.

Sponsorship packages start from as little as £50 and companies can also take advantage of a special corporate entertainment package.

Councillor Val Richards, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, said: “It’s a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by thousands of community members and friends and to be a part of this magnificent event. The music, fireworks and chance to enjoy a picnic in such a beautiful park makes for a very enjoyable evening. So that we continue to keep the event free for everyone, we need the support of our fantastic sponsors and hope local businesses will join us in making Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park 2013 a huge success.”

To find out more about the sponsorship packages on offer, please email proms@lichfielddc.gov.uk or call 01543 308866.

For the latest Lichfield Proms news, please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/lichfieldproms

Thousands of people waved their Union flags and sang with gusto at this year’s Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park on Saturday 1 September

Now in its fourteenth year, Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park, organised by Lichfield District Council, is a huge free celebration of classical and popular music, al fresco dining and spectacular fireworks.

The evening’s festivities started at 5pm with activities for the children and face painting. Lots of young people had fun on a traditional teacup ride and a series of giant inflatables, including a slide and T-Rex dinosaur.

The City of Lichfield Concert Band kicked off the evening’s music at 6pm, playing a selection of popular classics, while the audience found their spaces and set up their picnics. Highlights included an ABBA medley, music from James Bond films, and The Beatles.

Touch FM presenter, Mark O’Sullivan, and local TV personality, Jane Dayus-Hinch, then took to the stage at 7.30pm to introduce the main concert. As comperes for the night, Mark and Jane got everyone into the celebratory mood, with plenty of flag waving and cheering.

The main concert featured The British Police Symphony Orchestra and soloists, Joanne Mayling and Mitesh Khatri. This year’s programme celebrated The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a Great British theme. Musical treats included: an HMS Pinafore Medley, Coates’ Dambusters March, Jupiter from Elgar’s The Planets, a My Fair Lady medley, and Crown Imperial from Walton’s Coronation March.

As part of the concert, five lucky children took the stage with light up batons and were given a mini master class in conducting by BPSO conductor, Tom Hammond. With the conductors help, the children led the orchestra in a perfect rendition of Pomp & Circumstance No. 4.

The evening was brought to a close with a series of proms anthems, with many people joining in with Rule Britannia and Jerusalem. The night ended with a spectacular fireworks display to the stirring sounds of Land of Hope and Glory.

Councillor Val Richards, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, said: “Lichfield Proms in the beautiful surroundings of Beacon Park is such a great way to end the summer. The night was wonderful with stirring music, beautiful singing, fireworks and a fantastic crowd that waved their flags, sung along with gusto and cheered throughout the concert.

“We were very lucky with the weather as it was a clear and dry late summer evening, which meant this year’s concert was more crowded than ever. The night was a huge celebration of British music and it made me feel so proud to be a part of this wonderful night.

“Proms is a huge event to stage and I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to organise it, as well as our sponsors and everyone who made a donation on the night. A big thank you must also go to the City of Lichfield Concert Band, The British Police Symphony Orchestra, our amazing singers and comperes, who made it such a memorable evening for us all.”

Businesses and organisations that sponsored Lichfield Proms 2012 include: Midlands Co-operative, Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust, Secret Garden, Go Mobile Ltd, Thornton Claverley IFA Ltd, Wilcox Refinishers, Chandlers, Chandlers Lakeside Bistro, Moseleys Solicitors, PJS Autos, Beacon Street Garage, Lichfield Gazette, Lichfield Chamber of Trade & Commerce, Touch FM, Lichfield City Council and Staffordshire County Councillors, Steve Tranter, Janet Eagland, and Terry Finn through their Members’ Initiative Fund.

This year’s VIP area is sponsored by Chandlers Lakeside Bistro in Beacon Park. The new bistro, which launched in May 2012, is open 7 days a week offering a great range of hot and cold snacks, drinks and meals.

Emily Morden, Lakeside Bistro’s Director, commented: “We are really pleased to be sponsoring the VIP area and showing our support for this much-loved community event. Sitting at a VIP table is a fantastic way to make the evening extra special for all your family and friends, and, from just £40 for a table of four, it is a fantastic price. But hurry, as there are limited seats available and you don’t want to miss your chance to enjoy the event of the summer in style.”

VIP seats cost £10 each and can be bought in fours or sixes. To book a VIP table, please call 01543 308775 or email proms@lichfielddc.gov.uk.

Luke Phillips, Aadam Mia (winner), Andre Salt and Mr Evans (teacher)

The winner and runners up of this year’s Lichfield Proms programme front cover competition are awarded their prizes

Lichfield District Council is pleased to announce that Chasetown Terrace Technology College pupil, Aadam Mia, has won the Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park programme front cover competition.

Aadam impressed the judges with his patriotic-themed design, featuring Union flags, Lichfield Cathedral and concert-goers.

His artwork will be printed on the front cover of the proms programme that will be on sale at the event. For his winning design, Aadam has won a family ticket to NoFit State – the outdoor circus show that will bring The Lichfield Festival to a close in Beacon Park on 14 July.

The competition was judged by Lichfield Proms 2012 comperes, Touch FM broadcaster, Mark O’Sullivan, and local TV personality, Jane Dayus-Hinch, who met for the first time earlier this year to choose their favourite entries.

Luke Phillips came second in the competition and won a family Leisure Activity Passport, which can be used to save up to 30% on admission to Lichfield District Council’s leisure centres and activities at Beacon Park and with Mobile Leisure.

Andre Salt came third and won a family Gruesome and Ghostly guided tour of Lichfield City.

All three winners are in year 9 at Chase Terrace Technology College.

Councillor Val Richards, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, said: “Congratulations to Aadam and the runners up. All three designs were eye-catching and really captured the spirit of Lichfield Proms. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the competition.”

This year’s free Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park is taking place on Saturday 1 September. It will feature music from Lichfield City Concert Band and British Police Symphony Orchestra. There will also be solos from the soprano singer Joanne Mayling and tenor Mitesh Khatri.

Lichfield District Council is calling on local businesses to make this summer’s concert in the park the best yet.

Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park is a free event for the whole family, and Lichfield District Council is hoping lots of sponsors will come forward to help raise the money needed to help stage the outdoor concert extravaganza.

This year’s Lichfield Proms will take place on Saturday 1 September, when thousands of locals will gather at Beacon Park for a spectacular evening of entertainment. Set to feature the British Police Symphony Orchestra, the City of Lichfield Concert band, and a fireworks finale, it is the event to end the summer in style.

Lichfield florist, Secret Garden, who has sponsored Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park from the beginning are coming on board for another year, providing the beautiful flowers that line the stage and the bouquets that are presented on the night.

Sandra Shaw, Secret Garden, said: “This is the fourteenth year that we’ve sponsored Lichfield Proms, and we’re proud to be a part of this huge event. It helps us to get our business noticed by thousands of people and is the highlight of our summer.”

Sponsoring proms is a great way to promote your business to thousands of local people and visitors. Sponsors can benefit from their logos appearing on posters, leaflets, the glossy programme, news stories, and on the Lichfield Proms website. Sponsors also have prime seats at the event – right in front of the stage. Sponsorship packages range from £50 to £2,000, and companies can also take advantage of a special corporate entertainment package.

Councillor Val Richards, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, said: “We couldn’t stage Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park without our local sponsors. Sponsoring the event is a great way to show your support for the local area, and your brand will be seen by thousands of people from across the region. Whether you can offer £50 or £2,000, your contribution will be appreciated and will help make this year’s event possible.”

If you are interested in sponsoring Lichfield Proms, please email proms@lichfielddc.gov.uk or call 01543 308775. For the latest Lichfield Proms news and special offers, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/lichfieldproms

Sponsors that have confirmed their support so far, include: Secret Garden, Thornton Claverley IFA Ltd, Moseleys Solicitors and PJS Autos.

The 65-piece orchestra will lead the main concert at 7.30pm.

The musical programme will feature a Fred Astaire medley, classic show tunes, including On The Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady, as well as classical music such as Nessun Dorma by Giacomo Puccini, and everyone’s favourite proms anthems – Rule Britannia and Jerusalem.

The night will be brought to an end with a fireworks display, which has been kindly donated by UK Fireworks, and a rousing sing-song of Land of Hope and Glory.

Lichfield District Council’s free proms will feature solos from soprano Joanne Mayling and tenor Mitesh Khatri.

Councillor Val Richards, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, said: “We’re thrilled the British Police Symphony Orchestra is playing at this year’s proms and we’re all looking forward to hearing the soloists, who I am sure will be in fine voice on the night. And, what with The City of Lichfield Concert Band warming up the crowd, as well as children’s entertainment and food and drinks on sale from 5pm, and local celebrity, Jane Dayus-Hinch, taking to the stage as compere for the night, it promises to be a fantastic evening for the whole family. So, grab your hats and flags and join us for an evening of music, al fresco dining and community cheer.”

Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park 2011 music programme

First half

Fred Astaire Medley:
The Way You Look Tonight – Jerome Kerne
Let’s Face the Music and Dance – Irving Berlin
Cheek to Cheek – Irving Berlin

Anitra’s Dance from Peer Gynt Sutie No. 1, Op. 46 – Edvard Grieg

Danse Macabre – Saint-Saëns

Solveig’s Song from Peer Gynt Suite No. 2, Op. 55 – Edvard Grieg (Sung by Joanne Mayling)

Nessun Dorma – Giacomo Puccini (Sung by Mitesh Khatri)

Second half

Radetzky March – Johann Strauss Snr
On the Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady – Lerner and Loewe (Sung by Mitesh Khatri)

Summertime from Porgy and Bess – George Gershwin (Sung by Joanne Mayling)

People Will Say We’re In Love from Oklahoma! – Rodgers and Hammerstein (Sung by Joanne Mayling and Mitesh Khatri)

Valse Triste – Jean Sibelius

Rule Britannia – Thomas Arne

Jerusalem – Hubert Parry

Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 (Land of Hope and Glory) – Edward Elgar

Councillor Bernard Derrick, Lichfield District Council’s Chairman, said: “Whilst this is a free event and everyone is welcome to bring their picnic baskets and blankets, VIP tables are a fantastic way to make the evening extra special for all your family and friends, and from just £40 for a table of four, it is a fantastic price. But hurry, as there are limited seats available and you don’t want to miss your chance to enjoy the event of the summer in style.”

He continued: “And, if you want to make the evening even more special, why not put a message on our big screens from just £10. Whether it’s a special birthday, an anniversary, or exam results, a message on the big screen is a great way to celebrate in style.”

VIP seats/tables can be bought in fours or sixes. To book a VIP table or to request a special message call 01543 308866 or email proms@lichfielddc.gov.uk.

The end of summer outdoor concert is taking place on Saturday 3 September. It could not happen without the support of local businesses and individuals who continue to back the ever popular event.

Councillor Val Richards, Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, said: “Proms is always the event to end the summer in style, bringing thousands of people together from across the region to enjoy a wonderful evening. It is a huge event to organise, and we could not do it without our sponsors, who are vital to the success of proms.”

Sponsors backing Lichfield Proms, so far this year, include Councillor Terry Finn, Councillor Janet Eagland, Councillor Paul Atkins, Councillor Alan White and Councillor Stephen Tranter – through Staffordshire County Council‘s Members’ Initiative Fund, Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust, Lichfield City Council, Secret Garden, Moseleys Solicitors, Beacon Street Garage, Thornton Claverley and PJS Autos.

“We are so grateful to their support and would like to thank them all. I hope everyone puts a date in their diary for proms, and joins us for what promises to be a fabulous evening“, continued Cllr Richards.

This year’s free Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park is taking place on Saturday 3 September. It is set to feature music from Lichfield City Concert Band and British Police Symphony Orchestra. There will also be solos from the soprano singer Joanne Mayling and tenor Mitesh Khatri. 

To find out more about the range of sponsorship packages, please call the proms team on 01543 308866 or email proms@lichfielddc.gov.uk

For the latest Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park news and special offers, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/lichfieldproms

Eleven-year-old Jessica wowed the judges with her proms and park inspired artwork. Jessica’s design will be printed on the front cover of the proms programme, which will be sold on the night. Jessica also won a family ticket to the SnowDome and a VIP table at this year’s Lichfield Proms.

The competition was judged by Councillor Val Richards, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, Councillor Bernard Derrick, former Chairman of Lichfield District Arts Partnership, and Celia Houghton, the district council’s Arts Development Officer.

Jessica commented: “I was really surprised to hear that I won the competition and I’m looking forward to seeing my picture printed on all the programmes.”

Amy Rollason and Sophie Squire, from Chase Terrace Technology College, were the runners up in the competition.

Celia said: “Congratulations to Jessica Fisher, Amy Rollason and Sophie Squire. The competition was tight and the standard of artwork was very high this year. I would like to thank everyone who took part.”