Next week Alderley Edge Methodist Church will host their 50th lunchtime concert and the final one in the current series, featuring piano students from Chetham’s School of Music.
Since the first series began in October 2004, with 2 organ scholars from Chetham's, students from the prestigious school of music, ranging in age from 12 to 18, have performed on 12 occasions.
Recitals by students from the Royal Northern College of Music, as well as free-lance musicians have also been enjoyed with a total of 115 musicians having performed over 6 concert seasons.
Proceeds from the concerts have enabled Alderley Edge Methodist Church to make donations to local, national and international charities. During the past 6 years £11,500 has been raised for over 20 different charitable organisations. Recent beneficiaries include; The David Lewis Centre, East Cheshire Hospice, Christian Aid, Wilmslow Wells, Francis House, Christie's Teenage Care, Genesis Breast Cancer and the Haiti Earthquake Appeal.
The final concert of the current series of lunchtime concerts at Alderley Edge Methodist Church will take place on Wednesday 16th June at 1pm. Admission is by programme obtainable at the door, priced £3.50. As always, light lunches are served in the foyer from 12 noon.
Proceeds from the June concert will go to their own 'Time for the Future' Spire Appeal, which is raising funds to enable the church spire and clock, which have become victims of serious corrosion, to be removed, restored and rebuilt.
Jean Walker from Alderley Edge Methodist Church said "Our 'Time for the Future' Spire Appeal is now entering phase two. We are currently awaiting a decision from English Heritage, after which work will commence on the Spire, sometime later this year.
English Heritage has recognised the importance of the Alderley Edge Methodist Church as a community resource, having awarded a grant of £323,000 towards the work, leaving the Church itself to find the remainder of the cost through major fundraising initiatives.
Further Information is available on the Alderley Edge Methodist Church website, or by phoning 01625 584410.
