Hastily arranged church concert raises around �2,500 for Japanese tsunami and quake victims

A hastily arranged concert to raise money for Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims has raised nearly �2,500.

Musicians from the Sidmouth area took part in the concert at Sidmouth Parish Church on Sunday afternoon, including the Rector’s wife, Ruth James (violin), who with Frank Dominey (flute) and Muriel Philpott (piano) opened the performance with Sonata in G major by Quantz.

Merrill Millington (clarinet) and Bob Millington (piano) played Jamaican Rumba by Benjamin and Fantasiestucke No 1 in A minor by Schumann.

Mezzo Soprano Joan Edgecumbe, accompanied by pianist Clifford Earp, sang four songs, including Standchen by Schubert.

Cellists Jane and Alice Greenwood took part as did Brian Golding, piano and David Norrish, violin.

Bach’s Toccata & Fugue in D minor was played on the organ by Bob Millington and an introduction to ShelterBox, who will receive �2,374 plus gift aid from the event, was given by Marion Scott.

“It went very well, we are really pleased. We were limited by the times of the services but we had a good audience,” said Val�ry Dunn, church verger/administrator, who said the concert was “hastily put together” by church members.

*Those completing gift aid forms will enable a further 28p in the pound to go to the concert funds.