Concerts come of age with plans to raise funds (From Wharfedale Observer)

Concerts come of age with plans to raise funds

8:20am Saturday 12th May 2012 in News

A series of concerts which has raised more than £46,000 for Amnesty International celebrates its 21st birthday this year.

The concerts, at the Rawdon Quaker Meeting House, have been held since 1992 and are completely free of charge. For two decades audiences have been treated to performances by professionals and highly-talented amateurs.

One of the concert organisers said: “At each performance there’s a basket for donations to Amnesty International, the splendid human rights organisation that works worldwide for justice for victims of torture and political persecution. “Loyalty to this cause inspires an enthusiastic mix of voluntary contributions. Distinguished performers waive their usual fees and expenses; organisers coordinate the events, produce publicity and devote time and attention to looking after the performers; and audiences endure the wooden benches of Rawdon’s seventeenth-century Quaker Meeting House, fill the space with the warmth of their appreciation and donate generously to Amnesty. “Each year our events raise between two and three thousand pounds, and since 1992 this has amounted to over £46,000.”

Now in their 21st year they are celebrating their “coming-of-age” with a special series featuring the spoken word from the Hope Theatre, Theatre of the Dales, Vayu Naidu Storytelling Theatre, Martin Riley, Peter Spafford and David Griffiths. There will be music from Arioso, The Bridge Singers, instrumentalists and singer from Opera North, Marion Raper, Jane Anthony and members of the Bradford Music Club. Rawdon Quaker Meeting is on Quakers Lane, Rawdon LS19 6HU.

For details of the 2012 season contact Barbara Parry on (0113) 2503867, or e-mail barbaraparry@ waitrose.com.