End of concerts at Windsor's Parish Church after 18 years

Music lovers have been hit by the shock news that the much loved lunchtime summer concerts at Windsor's Parish Church are to end after 18 years.

The sad news is announced in this month's parish magazine. The concerts were started by Team Rector - the late Canon Jeffery Whale - 18 years ago.

His daughter Sally was studying at the Royal Academy of Music and he decided to offer students a unique chance to perform in front of a live audience.

The lunchtime summer concerts have been part of the church's calendar ever since. But audience size has diminished from 40 to less than 30, meaning that the concerts can no longer make a small profit or break even.

Added to this, several members of the concerts committee have retired. This year the concerts will run as usual from April 17 to June 12 - offering fans the last chance to enjoy them.

Concert committee member John Halsey - director of music at the church - said: "There is a feeling of sadness. But we have done well to continue with the concerts Canon Whale set up for so long.

"We have given opportunities to a lot of musicians and raised a lot of money for church funds. Now we must look for other ways of providing community events at the church."

The last 18 years will not be allowed to fade away unnoticed though. A special celebration is planned for Wednesday, June 19 - details of which will be announced later.

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