Summer at the Proms!

A patriotic afternoon is set to be a rousing success, as East Lancashire Hospice host a Summer at the Proms event.

Set at the historic and characterful Spread Eagle in Sawley, the event is set to be an afternoon to remember on Thursday 16 August. Attendees will be greeted by Rossendale-based 10-piece brass band Play it Forward, who will be playing a range of popular songs, led by a conductor, before tucking in to their two-course meal.

After lunch, Play It Forward will encourage guests to warm up their vocal chords and sing along to a selection of songs including Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia.

Guests will be made to feel like they are attending the Last Night at the Proms, as they wave their Union Jack flags and sing along to the song sheet. The afternoon will be concluded by a performance from Michael Kennedy.

Gill Robinson, who formed the brass band, said: “The band was formed just over 12 months ago with the aim of playing for groups raising money for charity. Our very first performance was for East Lancashire Hospice and it holds a special place in our heart.

“These kind of events attract a wide range of age and everyone enjoys singing along to the concert music. We look forward to returning to perform for East Lancashire Hospice for what will be an afternoon to remember.”

Leanne Green, event fundraiser at the hospice, said: “The Summer at the Proms event will be a moving afternoon and we can’t wait to hear Play It Forward perform again.

“We would like to thank the band for agreeing to play, and say a special thank you to our sponsor Heritage Envelopes who are sponsoring the whole event.”

Daniel Bolton, from Heritage Envelopes - who are also involved in this year’s Corporate Challenge - said: “Several of our staff members have already been exposed to the great work that the hospice do, most recently our CEO whose father-in-law spent his last few days in the hospice earlier this year.

“We feel that it is extremely important for us to support the East Lancashire Hospice and to raise awareness with the rest of our staff and the local community.”

Tickets for the afternoon, which starts at 3.30pm, cost £25 and can be booked by clicking here.