Music fans were treated to a weekend of rock and soul on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th July, as sensational tribute acts for music icons Elton John, Tina Turner and Rod Stewart, along with Soul Legends - ‘the feel good show of the year’ - took to the stage for this year’s Music In The Park. This ever-popular music festival, which took place at the King George V Playing Fields in Farnborough, was once again a huge success, drawing in crowds of over 7,000 to raise money for local Hospice Care charity Phyllis Tuckwell.
On Saturday the tribute acts took to the stage, performing hit after sensational hit and drawing the crowds to their feet to dance along. Graham Nash of the Elton John Experience impressed the crowds with an act which included the well-lovedCrocodile Rock and Rocket Man, after which Niqi Brown wowed the crowds with her fast-moving, dynamic set as Tina Turner, performing favourites such as Simply the Best and Proud Mary. The evening finished with Paul Metcalfe as Forever Rod, who sang classics including Maggie May and Handbags and Gladrags.
Sunday saw Motown group Soul Legends bring their silky sounds and smooth moves to the show, as they performed classics from Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Lionel Ritchie, Barry White and many more, all of which were accompanied by their usual flawless choreography. Hits included favourite soul anthems such as Love Train, Ain’t Nobody, Midnight Hour, and Ain’t No Stopping Us Now.
The event, which is kindly organised by the Rotary Club of Farnborough, has taken place every other year since 2001, and raises a huge amount of money for local Hospice Care charity Phyllis Tuckwell, which provides supportive and end of life care to patients and families who are living with a terminal illness such as cancer, in West Surrey and North East Hampshire.
“We would like to thank the Rotary Club of Farnborough for once again organising this fantastic event,” said Laura Moody, Events Fundraising Manager at Phyllis Tuckwell. “It was a huge success – as it always is – and we are very grateful for their support. Since 2001 this music festival has raised over £440,000 for Phyllis Tuckwell – an incredible contribution to our fundraising. Every day we care for over 250 patients and relatives, through a mix of medical care, nursing, therapies, counselling, social work advice and practical support. However, as we only receive 20% of our funding from the NHS/Government, we need to raise over £20,000 each and every day to do this, and rely heavily on fundraising events such as Music in the Park. We would like to thank everyone who came along, and we hope you had a brilliant time!”
If you are interested in organising or taking part in a fundraising event for Phyllis Tuckwell, please visit www.pth.org.uk/event-diary, call the Fundraising team on 01252 729446 or email fundraising@pth.org.uk
