Pack up your picnic baskets and blankets for Sunday’s summer evening prom, featuring Kent Concert Orchestra in the stunning surroundings of Quex Gardens.

Conducted by retired Royal Marine bandmaster Maj John Perkins, the must-see show includes a packed programme of performances by soprano Margaret Threadgold, Hercules, Thanet’s Big Sing Community Choir and and Muziki Steel Pans Group.

Fran Mileman of Powell-Cotton Museum at Quex Park said: “We have been hoping for a long time to be able to offer a Summer Prom at Quex again. This year’s Prom will take place in Quex Gardens and will be a smaller and more intimate event than in the past.

“We are delighted that the fabulous Kent Concert Orchestra has agreed to perform for us and we know this will provide a magical summer’s evening event for all to enjoy in a wonderful setting.”

Music starts at 4.30pm with the unique sound of Muziki, a group students from a steel pan academy in Thanet.

At 6pm is an official welcome by Your Toastmasters followed at 6.10 by Thanet Big Sing Community Choir.

The toastmasters are back at 6.30pm and will introduce Hercules, a Kent based tenor and actor and winner of The Voice of Europe 2012.

Kent Concert Band is the main highlight, starting at 7.30pm. Modelled on the BBC Concert Orchestra, the band was started in 1989 by Paul Neville and consisted of Royal Marines Band Service staff members.

The present conductor is John Perkins, former Director of Music of the Royal Marines Band (Royal Band). John was a founder member of the band and conductor since 2007.

The musicians will be accompanied by soprano Margaret Threadgold. Margaret was born in Kent and although she studied piano and saxophone, the voice was always her favourite ‘instrument’. She has won several awards gaining first prize for Lieder, Oratorio, French Song and Opera. She has given many concerts and recitals of popular classical and modern music both locally and countrywide. Margaret has performed with the Royal Marines Band at memorial concerts on Walmer Green and has joined Kent Concert Band for the last 10 years in their Gala Night at the Prom. She is also a regular guest with The Becker Orchestra and has joined them for the Prom in The Park at Ripple for the last five years.

Refreshments will be available during the prom from Mama Feelgoods and will include a BBQ (which can be pre-ordered and paid for in advance). A licensed bar will be in operation too.

Tickets cost £25 adults, £12.50 children up to 16 years of age, and groupps of 10 receive a discount of £2 a ticket.

Call the Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex Park Birchington on 01843 842168 for reservations or email:
Fran Mileman enquiries@quexmuseum.org