Sweet Even, a musical tribute to the Rev Gilbert White, world famous naturalist, who put the village of Selborne on the map took place at St Matthew’s Church, Blackmoor on Saturday 29th June 2019 in front of a packed audience.
In this prelude to the tercentenary in 2020 of the birth of Gilbert White, actor Bernard Whelan, dressed as the naturalist, read passages from his book The Natural History of Selborne in between music played by the Akina Ensemble. The music featured popular chamber pieces that Gilbert White would have known and loved like Handel's The Cuckoo and the Nightingale, In Imitation of Birds by Williams, and Hayden’s The Frog. It also included a new work - A Purer Air - by local composer Philip Andrew.
This event was in aid of The Friends of St Matthew's and was sponsored by ourselves and BTE Automotive. We were pleased to hear that over £2,000 was raised for the charity which will go towards the sinking chancel floor project, and the organisers thanked us for our support.
