Piano recital at St Barnabas

'THE FRIENDS of St Barnabas' held their second concert of the season at the church, which was recently saved from demolition, on 21st November.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Nov 2009, 14:42 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:13 BST

The concert featured the exceptionally talented young pianist Leah Broad who delighted the audience performing a varied and exciting programme of music by Chopin, Beethoven, Prokofiev, Janacek and Liszt.

Leah, whose grandparents live in Bexhill, travelled from her home at Sevenoaks to perform at the concert, giving her time freely in order to help the 'Friends' raise much needed funds to aid the restoration the church.

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Leah began playing the piano at the age of eight and, along with performing with such eminent pianists as Paul Lewis, Arthur Pizarro and Joanna McGregor, has already performed at the Royal Festival Hal

The concerts at St Barnabas have proved popular with local people, and already have an avid following.

The first concert recently started the season off with a swing, with Bexhill Jazz works delighting a sixty strong audience, raising the rafters with a selection of music ranging from the romantic to the nostalgic.

Chairman of 'The Friends', Jenny Edgar, said the plans to start a 'Friends Association' had been well underway before the threat to demolish the church, which had been badly damaged in an arsonists fire, was announced in June.

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Jenny said: "'The Friends' were officially formed in August with the aim of raising funds for the restoration of the church of St Barnabas and also provide help towards the maintenance of this beautiful town centre building.

"After the threat of demolition had been withdrawn, and the church saved, 'The Friends' were able to publish a programme of events for the year ahead ranging from concerts, afternoon talks, and tabletop sales to an Easter Bazaar and Summer Fayre."

She added: "We have arranged a programme of events for the year with as wide an appeal as possible so everyone in the community feels there is something here for them.

The next event at the church will be a Christmas Carol concert, which will be held in the churchyard on 19th December at 2.30pm, mulled wine and mince pies will be served. Entry is free with contributions to the collection invited.

Related topics:Bexhill