With a severe weather warning in place, winds of more than 40mph and driving rain, concert goers would have been forgiven for non-attendance at the first Aldeburgh Soiree Concert in support of St Elizabeth Hospice, however the people of Aldeburgh were clearly determined to battle the elements in pursuit of entertainment.
More than a hundred music lovers filled the nave of the stunning St Peter & St Paul’s Church in Aldeburgh which had been kindly made available by Alde Sandlings Benefice, for the charity fundraising concert, free of charge.
Talented concert pianist Warren Shattles has been helping charities in his local south coast area by holding fundraising concerts along with his fellow performers; soprano, Helen Hardwick and tenor, Philip Harradine Robinson. When his friend, St Elizabeth Hospice Trustee Grainne Drummond, told him about the hospice he generously offered that the trio would travel to Suffolk and perform on their behalf. Grainne also approached her friend and professional actress Elizabeth Elsworth, adding further diversification to the programme.
The performers cleverly wove a story of love from many perspectives. From Philip’s youthful rendition of ‘Girls were made to love and kiss’ from Paganini through to Helen’s thoughtful performance of ‘Love is where you find it’ from The Kissing Bandit via Elizabeth’s exquisite interpretations of Yeats, Browning and Shakespeare there was something for everyone – even some comedy as the audience chuckled to Helen and Philip singing ‘I remember it well’ from Gigi, with aplomb.
After rapturous applause to drown out the growing storm, the audience enjoyed an encore performance before removing to the church hall for a glass of fizz and delicious canapés by Claire Bruce-Clayton, Good Food & Events.
The fundraising total has reached a stunning £2,650 which will go towards St Elizabeth Hospice and its work in partnership with East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH) to provide free specialist palliative care services to patients and their families throughout Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
Since launching in April 2019 more than 2,000 people have been supported by the partnership via the service’s 24-hour advice line OneCall, at Beccles Hospital, in the community through hospice clinical nurse specialists working across Waveney and Great Yarmouth visiting patients in their homes or received support through the hospice’s emotional, wellbeing and bereavement support service, LivingGrief.
Further information about the partnership’s services in Great Yarmouth and Waveney can found by visiting www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/how-we-can-help/hospice-care/great-yarmouth_and-waveney.
To contact the 24-hour specialist palliative care advice line, OneCall, call 0800 567 0111