Summer Classics at Hever Castle Festival Theatre – 4 July 2009

Report on the Hever Castle concert by Fred Edwards - on a work experience placement with International Needs

Spending my work experience with International Needs has provided me with the opportunity of meeting the people that make the charity the success it is. The preparation and organisation that goes into an event like the recent concert at Hever Castle on 4th July, I can only partially understand; having only been in the office for the previous week. Therefore I must firstly commend all of the International Needs team for the effort and commitment that in my opinion made the event such a success.

For me, the day started much earlier than for those who came for the enjoyment of the picnic and the concert; that is not to say that I didn’t enjoy it or course- because I enjoyed the day very much! Arriving at Hever at 12.45pm to help setup consisted of setting up gazebos for our International Needs stand where we had a stunning photo exhibition from pictures taken in Africa by our own Tom Godec, as well as many more jobs needing to be done during the afternoon in preparation for the evening’s concert. Soon enough, guests were arriving and the time had come for me to take my position at the ticket gate.

Checking guest’s tickets as people arrived gave me the opportunity to welcome the guests and wish them a good evening which gave me a great deal of satisfaction. People firstly enjoyed a picnic at various points overlooking the lake, before heading to take their seats for the main event.

I must say I was very impressed with the music over the course of the evening. Darrell Davison and the orchestra did a fantastic job in entertaining the crowd with the wonderful contribution from violinist Joo Yeon Sir and of course soprano Susan Parkes. ‘Rule Britannia’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ were the eye catchers for me with those flags waving in the air and the support from a very enthusiastic crowd.

To finish off the evening I was given such satisfaction when our guests, who had already given their support to International Needs by just being at the event and many had also bought programmes, hats and flags, all in support of our medical centre project in Burkina Faso, were still generous enough to make a donation as they left. With that generosity, being there to welcome people and then wishing them a good night as they left was a privilege. I felt honoured to be a part of the whole experience!

Thank you to all who came and supported the work of International Needs in Burkina Faso. We all hope that you had a wonderful evening.

Please click on one of the pictures below to enlarge it.