The ‘Summer Celebration’ (jointly organised by the Test Valley Arts Foundation and The Prince’s Trust) on Friday 21^st July at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Ampfield, was a great success as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble brought a great evening of arts and music to a close on what was one of the warmest and balmiest nights of the year.

An audience of 300 people picnicked in the magnificent grounds and were entertained not only by the BSO Brass, but also by various local groups ranging from the Andover Museum Loft Singers, the Test Valley Brass Youth Band, Andover Wedge and the Broughton Traditional Arts Long Sword Group. From 6pm onwards, there was a feast of entertainment in various parts of the gardens, complete with a magician entertaining visitors as they strolled in the grounds or enjoyed their al fresco meals.

The Master of Ceremonies was Eric Knowles of Antiques Road Show fame. Eric has been a special ambassador for The Prince’s Trust for the past 12 years and was delighted to be paying his first visit to the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. Maybe he was assessing them for a future Antiques Road Show production. He also conducted an auction of donated paintings including an exquisite Ruth Baron Ezra drawing and a ‘Summer Celebration’ by Hampshire artist Richard Plincke. The auction raised close on £1000.

Local artists and designers, including Rex Trayhorne, Clarissa Russell and Carolyne Viney, exhibited their paintings, sculpture and crafts. A spectacular bronze sculpture by Vivien Mallock was also on display.

The whole event was masterminded by Anthony de Sigley, Artistic Director, and Michael Widén, Development Officer of Test Valley Arts Foundation; with administrative support coming from Simon Fulford and Pauline Smith of The Prince’s Trust.

One of the features of the evening was a ‘pink’ car participating in a banger car rally later this year from ‘Staples 2 Naples’, a journey of 1500 miles, raising funds for the Test Valley Arts Foundation. The car is to be driven from Staples Corner in London to Naples by Mr Andrew Edmonds, son of Mrs Madeline Edmonds, one of the trustees of the Arts Foundation. Guests were invited to pick its name. 

Sponsors for the event included Hampshire County Council, Vitacress Salads Ltd, Leckford Estate / Waitrose, Roke Manor Research, Bulpitt Print Ltd and Petty, Wood & Co Ltd of Andover. The reception for sponsors hosted by Vitacress and Cllr Roy Perry (Chairman of the Arts Foundation) was attended by over 50 guests including the Mayor and Mayoress of Test Valley Cllr Jim Neal and Mrs Maria Neal and by the Chairman of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Mrs West and Mr Peter West.

Thanking sponsors at a reception before the concert, Chairman of the Arts Foundation, Roy Perry applauded them for their generosity and said: “The link with The Prince’s Trust’s national profile and the Test Valley Arts Foundation’s local connection has proved very amicable and fortuitous. The aim of youth charity, The Prince’s Trust, is to help disadvantaged young people change their lives, giving them practical and financial support and developing skills such as confidence and motivation. The Test Valley Arts Foundation (which was brought into being by the late Michael Colvin MP) has a mission to help develop the artistic and cultural life and talents in the Test Valley”.

 

A Summer Celebration—photos courtesy of BURLISON Photography

 

 

Friday 21st July 2006

A Summer Celebration

of Arts, Music  & Young People

Supported by

Sculpture by Symbiotic Design Consultancy Limited (SDCL) based at Project Workshops, Quarley, Nr Andover

Eric Knowles (BBC ‘Antiques Road Show’), Cllr Mrs Patricia West (Chairman, Hampshire County Council) and Mr Yinnon Ezra (Director, Recreation and Heritage, Hampshire County Council)

Vivien Mallock ‘Nude’ sculpture

Mr and Mrs Nick Stenning (Chief Executive, Vitacress Salads Ltd, main sponsors of the event) and Roy Perry (Test Valley Arts Foundation Chairman)

Mrs Ruth Widén (left), the Mayor of Havant, Cllr Richard Brown, and Mrs Madeline Edmonds, Test Valley Arts Foundation trustee