Last year’s gala concert was so successful that our friends at Sussex Brass offered to do it again! We had a great evening on Friday. Sussex Brass gave us a completely new programme – with the exception of the Sierra Leone National Anthem and good old Sussex by the Sea, of course, both of which we sang with gusto. There were favourites for everyone – mine were Born Free , All You Need is Love, a marvellous cornet solo and a very clever arrangement by Steve Hollamby himself of Delibes’ pizzicati from Sylvia. Isabel and Alex gave a five-minute update on the Link’s recent activities, and Steve compered the programme with his incomparable blend of humour and useful information. Everyone fell on the Sierra Leonean buffet prepared and served by Yvonne Johnson, Yvette John, Mrs Kosso Renner Thomas and Mrs Elizabeth Smith. (Ah, the jollof rice!)
The evening raised an amazing £1160 for the Friendship Link’s projects. So, thanks to everyone who made it all possible – to St Matthew’s Church for hosting us (and in particular Tom the AV wizard and the ladies who ran the hot drinks counter); Jason and all the helpers from the Link; to our Sierra Leonean friends who came down from London to give their very generous support; and, of course, to Steve Hollamby and Sussex Brass. Here are some of the photos that Colin Foy took with his formidable camera.
