Bumper crowds at this year’s proms
The sun shone and an estimated 15,000 people descended on Beacon Park on Saturday to enjoy the council’s twentieth Lichfield Proms.
Lichfield District Council’s free annual Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park took place on Saturday 1 September.
The end-of-summer event featured music from the City of Lichfield Concert Band and the British Police Symphony Orchestra.
The City of Lichfield Concert Band played as proms-goers found their spaces. This led up to the British Police Symphony Orchestra taking to the stage at 7.30pm. The 75-piece orchestra, conducted by Richard Jenkinson, was joined by experienced compere, Danny Mizon and the singers Claire Prewer and Anando Mukerjee.
The main music programme included music from La Bohème, Star Trek, Adagio from Spartacus, the Dambusters March, a World War One medley, Sea Songs and more.
The evening ended with everyone on their feet, waving their Union Flags to the proms anthems, Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance No 1, to an extra special firework finale overhead.
Councillor Bob Awty, Chairman of Lichfield District Council, said: “What a fantastic evening. We had record numbers, with thousands joining us to celebrate our twentieth year of Lichfield Proms. It was a joy to see everyone having such a great time, waving their flags, enjoying the music and the atmosphere.
“A big thank you must go to all the proms team who work so hard to organise Lichfield Proms, and to all the sponsors who help to support this spectacular event, and to the brilliant musicians for thoroughly entertaining us.”
Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park 2018 was sponsored by: BHB Architects, Strongs Plastic Products Ltd, Friel Homes, Wilcox Refinishers, Prizm Solutions, Allen Brown Jewellery, Lichfield Chamber of Trade and Commerce, The Rotary Club of Lichfield St Chad, Beacon Street Garage, The Best of Lichfield, The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, Keelys Solicitors, Movecorp, Blue Print Designs, Moseleys Solicitors, Secret Garden and Michelle Williams Photography.
The Staffordshire county councillors Janet Eagland, Colin Greatorex, Natasha Pullen and David Smith also supported Lichfield Proms through the Staffordshire Local Community Fund. Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust and Lichfield City Council supported the event through grant funding.