THE Sidmouth Centre of the National Trust staged a concert to bring the history of four Devon trust properties to life.

Musical Portraits, at the Sidholme Hotel on Monday, November 15, focused on A La Ronde, Saltram, Arlington Court and Killerton House through words, music and pictures.

The music performed included songs by Rossini to evoke the Italian travels of the Parminter cousins of A La Ronde, instrumentals to illustrate the elegance of Saltram, sea songs to evoke the nautical adventures of the Chichesters of Arlington Court an an organ piece by Samuel Sebastian Wesley dedicated to Lady Lydia and the Killerton organ. The linking narrative described the properties in terms of their location, architectural style and furnishings, and the lives and personalities of their past occupants.

The performers were Keith Orrell (narrator), Dorothy Worthington (piano), Alex West (piano and organ), Ruth James (violin), Jane Greenwood (cello) and Val Howels (mezzo soprano).

The concert’s format was the brainchild of centre committee member Keith Orrell.

He said: “The event was enthusiastically received by a capacity audience of centre members, and raised a considerable sum for National Trust funds.”