Music Festival to Aid Campaign

No speeches, just great music at Stop Stansted Expansion’s ‘A Summer Breeze’ What do Bach, Basie and the Beatles have in common? They are all making an appearance at what is being billed as Stop Stansted Expansion’s biggest event yet – a festival of music in the grounds of Little Easton Manor on Sunday 20 July. The works of some of the world’s greatest and most popular composers and song-writers will be presented by a fantastic line-up of performers at this picnic concert.

‘A Summer Breeze’ will feature the world-famous English Chamber Orchestra playing a selection of popular classical music with ‘a few surprises’ thrown in. The ECO will be directed by the international conductor Roy Goodman who lives in nearby Birchanger.

Meanwhile Stansted resident Kenny Ball – and his Jazzmen – will up the tempo with an hour of stomping Jazz ranging from traditional numbers to their own interpretation of modern hits. The Upbeat Beatles, regarded as the UK’s premier Beatles tribute band, will also take to the stage with 60 minutes of famous Beatles numbers that are as familiar now as they were back in the 60s and 70s.

The concert is being staged in the idyllic grounds of Little Easton Manor, near Great Dunmow, on Sunday July 20. Gates open at 12.30 pm to allow concert-goers to settle in and organise picnics before the start of the programme at 2 pm. Ample car parking will be provided.

Festival atmosphere.

In addition to the concert, A Summer Breeze will feature a host of attractions including a fun casino, a hog roast, sideshows, as well as a champagne and wine bar, beer tent and other refreshments. Space for gazebos can be hired and special hospitality packages are being offered to sponsors, local businesses or groups who want to use the occasion for entertaining. A limited number of tickets will also be available for a back-stage champagne party, which will start after the main concert ends at around 7pm.

A team of volunteers has been planning the event for several months, assisted by experienced concert promoter Alan Goldsmith. Attendance is limited to 2,500 at what the campaign team believes will be a sell-out concert.

“This will not only be our biggest fund-raiser but our biggest single event,” said Peter Gowan, deputy chairman of Stop Stansted Expansion. “For once, we intend to drown out the noise of the planes and enjoy a fabulous festival of music and entertainment – lazing on a Sunday afternoon – in summertime. No speeches, banners or campaigning ­ just a great concert of international quality for everyone to enjoy ­ right on our doorstep.”

Posters and booking forms for the ‘Summer Breeze’ concert will soon be appearing everywhere but in the meantime advance tickets can be purchased at £17.50 for adults and £12.00 for children (2-14) from Stop Stansted Expansion (01279 870558) and a host of local retailers (details on request). There is also a ticket hotline (01279 815464) for credit card bookings.