Exciting St George's Day event (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Exciting St George's Day event

12:03pm Wednesday 21st March 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

Jazz music, theatre and swing will fill the main chamber of Swindon council's offices for a special St George's Day concert.

The national anthem will also feature in a one-off production for the Prospect Hospice on April 23.

The Kentwood Choir will become probably the first musical act to appear in the council chamber.

Musical director Sheila Harrod said: "We will give people a full mix of entertainment from jazz to jingoism.

"The ending will be a rousing crescendo of Jerusalem, I Vow To Thee My Country and Rule Britannia. Before that the audience will hear a range of styles, and some treats are in store."

Mrs Harrod puts the choir together from a pool of semi-professional musicians. She said: "We will have the full trio of bass guitar, piano and percussion. Sheila Harrod and Kentwood Choir members with Swindon mayor Mike Bawden.

"On bass will be Ben Kidds, Geoff Walters will be on piano and Paul Ashman will play percussion.

"I have wanted to take the show there for several years so we are all looking forward to the show."

Proceeds from the event will go to Prospect Hospice in Wroughton.

Swindon mayor Mike Bawden set up the date with the Kentwood Choir and suggested the booking for St George's Day.

Mrs Harrod said: "Mr Bawden should be giving some people a tour before the concert, which would really show off how nice the building is.

"We had a look around and there is a great acoustic in there, so the audience will be in for a treat."

The choir, which was the first to appear on Aled Jones' Radio 3 series The Choir last month, will perform at the front while guests take the councillors' seats.

Mrs Harrod said: "It will be a rare treat for people to sit in the councillors' seats and there are microphones, so we hope people will join in for the finale.

"And we want to see as many members of the council there as possible. It would be fantastic to see them up in the gallery."

Coun Bawden will be certain to take his seat.

Speaking last week, he said: "I'm really looking forward to it, because to my knowledge there has never been a musical performance in the main chamber.

"Everybody knows how vital Prospect's work is, and everyone in and around Swindon will have been affected by cancer at some point.

"The work of the hospice holds a special place in the heart of the town, and it is fantastic to think this unique event will directly help them."

Doors will open for the concert at 7pm. The £10 admission includes light refreshments.

Tickets are available from the Prospect Hospice in Wroughton and Prospect Hospice shops in Old Town, Gorse Hill, Regent Street, Wootton Bassett High Street and the Ellendune Centre in Wroughton.