PHOTOS: Midsummer Spectacular concert raises more than £50,000
‘Over the moon’ is how organiser of the Midsummer Spectacular Charity Concert and the current High Sheriff of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Jacky Bowes, described feeling after the musical extravaganza returned to Driffield Showground raising more than £50,000.
The concert took place with around 2,000 people enjoying the high-quality entertainment on offer which was headlined by the world-famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band, who achieved fame after appearing in hit film Brassed Off.
Also entertaining the appreciative audience was international violinist Kate Cruscicka and the East Riding Senior Wind Band.
Directing proceedings in his role as compere was BBC Radio Humberside presenter Blair Jacobs.
Holding aloft their union flags, the audience sang along to popular classics and enjoyed the jubilant atmosphere.
A charity auction, led by Caroline Hawley, raised £11,000 and in total the whole evening raised £50,114 which will be split between four local charities – Working Independently Supporting Hull Hospitals (WISHH), of which Jacky is a trustee, The Tribune Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support’s Yorkshire Appeal and the Driffield Agricultural Society.
The evening came to a spectacular climax with a fantastic fireworks display.
Jacky said after 15 months of planning, it had been a night to remember.
She said: “It was a fantastic night and it was so nice to be able to hold it in Driffield.
“The atmosphere was amazing and everybody who came had a great time.
“The entertainment went down a storm and the musicians were all so talented, from the youth band who were phenomenal, to our wonderful violinist Kate and the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, which delighted the audience.
“We received such fantastic support and people were so generous.
“We have raised a huge amount of money and there is still some to come in and that will make such a huge difference to the four charities which each have specific projects to put the money towards.
“The event has been brought together by a huge team of volunteers and I would like to thank them all for their hard work.
“This was more than raising money, we really wanted to give the people of Driffield something to look forward to and it didn’t disappoint in any way, shape or form.”
