Hundreds of people, ranging from families with young children, to seasoned music fans gathered at the Bandstand in Ross-on-Wye for the annual Proms in the Park on Sunday, July 22nd. The crowds even included a couple from Pershore who spend the whole day at the Proms after seeing a poster for it last week.

This was the second Proms organised by Ross Town Council Events Committee, led by Councillor Hannah Lerego. She was thrilled at the success of the event, despite several setbacks including the Bands in the Park co-ordinator, Roy Smith suffering a stroke. Last year three bands played and as the night drew in the heavens opened. This didn’t stop the final band, Ebbw Valley, playing as hard core ‘Prom’mers danced with umbrellas in the ever deepening puddles. But thankfully this year’s event was blessed with wonderful weather and Roy was even able to attend the day.

This year’s event was the culmination of a 30 year dream to create a bandstand in Ross where summer afternoon concerts could be held by the riverside.

The Mayor of Ross in 1987, Cllr David Fishpool, a keen musician and member of the Ross Town Band, had the original idea of providing a bandstand for the town and made it his Mayor’s project. However, although he was able to raise funds, it never got any further until the Ross Lions took the project on some 15 years later. The Bandstand, or Outdoor Pursuits Building, as it was officially named, was finally opened in 2005 and handed over by the Ross Lions to the Town Council.

Last year the Lions provided the funding to allow for an electricity supply which means that this year the Bandstand is finally able to be used as it was intended.

Roy Smith of Berryhill Band, the official Bands in the Park Co-ordinator, proposed changing the date to the end of July in the hope that there would be better weather and more natural light. Councillor Hannah Lerego said: “It definitely worked, as we went from torrential rain in 2017 and darkness to an intense heat wave in 2018.”

The first performers were the Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir led by Tracey Gwynne. They gave an hour of beautiful singing at probably the hottest part of the day. They were introduced by local theatre enthusiast Ben Abbott who gave freely of his time acting as compere to open the day.

Reverend Sarah Jones literally ran down the hill between her church commitments to be able to introduce the Allegra Ladies Choir. Emma Dawson, the conductor of Allegra came to the Proms last year as an audience member and approached Hannah, saying she would be delighted to bring the Choir to sing in Ross.

Radio Journalist, Vicky Truscott compered the rest of the 7.5 hour event reminding audiences of the stall holders of the day - which were Miniyakis Japanese Soul Food, Mad Mammas Mexican Street Food and Kelsmor Dairy Ice Cream - each of whom proved popular. She also drew attention to the Forest of Dean Relay selling refreshments for Cancer Research and The Ross Horizon Centre, a Ross-based social enterprise who provide a day centre for adults with learning difficulties. See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here

These photos and more were taken by the Ross Gazette and can be purchased at: https://rossgazette.newsprints.co.uk/