An Evening for Friends
Music of ‘beauty and transcendence’ in Abbey Concert
An exciting evening of ‘beautiful music’ will be presented in Pershore Abbey on May 28th. Friends of Pershore Hospital have engaged Aphelion(local musicians Chris Long and Paula Evans) to programme and present a concert to promote awareness of the Friends and their work. The concert, entitled ‘TOWARDS THE WITHIN’, will be a candlelit presentation of music from the 12th century to the present day, for voices as well as instruments. Vocal music will include solo plainchant from the 12th century; polyphonic music by composers including Josquin & Victoria as well as Eric Whitacre and Ola Gjielo (sung by vocal sextet Voice7); and contemporary music for soprano quartet with cello (Howard Goodall’s ‘Enchanted Voices’ pieces, made popular via Classic FM). Instrumental music will include original compositions by Chris Long for piano and cello. Previous Aphelion concerts have been described as ‘sublime’, ‘hypnotic’ and ‘ethereal’, and Pershore Abbey is the perfect environment in which to experience this music. Tickets which include an interval drink are £10 can be purchased from ‘Blue’ in Broad Street or from the Town Hall and on the door.
The Friends of Pershore Hospital, once known as The League of Friends of Pershore Cottage Hospital, have been in existence as long as the Hospital itself. Indeed, they were formed with the express purpose of creating a medical facility to serve the local people. This was achieved in 1896 when the hospital opened with two beds and a cot.
For the whole of its life the hospital has benefited from contributions from the local community which have been used by the Friends constantly to improve and update its services. There have been occasional scares when reorganisations of the health services have threatened closure. Led by the Friends and Wychavon District Council, these have been fought off and today’s modern hospital is a testament to those efforts.
Mrs. Freeman, Chairman of the Friends, said “We are really looking forward to this event and are very grateful to Paula and Chris for making it happen. Those of you have been fortunate enough to attend one of their performances will know what a treat is in store for us. The work of the Friends is no less important now than it was at the turn of the 19th Century – we all know how the NHS struggles to find the funds to deliver its services and that is where we come in. Through the efforts of our members and the generosity of local people we are able to supplement local medical services where a shortfall occurs or where an improvement is possible. Our reasons for sponsoring this Concert are to let people know what we do and to invite them to become Friends of Pershore Hospital.
We hope that many of you will join us and help with the continuation of this important work.”