The Big Cat Sanctuary is set in the heart of the countryside at Smarden, in Kent.The peace and tranquillity of the site provides a sanctuary and excellent conditions for the successful breeding of the beautiful, yet endangered cats both large and small within the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme.
To raise much needed funds the Big Cat Sanctuary relies on donations and specialised experiences, as well as a number of open days each year. The open days are very popular and this weekend was no different, being sold out, so we were looking forward to playing to a good audience on the Sunday afternoon of the 23rd July.
We had not played at the venue before and even being fairly local to the band, many of us were not aware of its existence. Despite the warnings of some traditional summer weather, we managed to play out in the open for our first half, but had to move under cover as the promised rain arrived, we managed to put on a slightly curtailed programme in the tea tent. As usual the soloists were fantastic and delighted the audience both human and feline !
As usual we had a number of “deps” standing in for our normal players who were away on holiday. Our thanks to all who helped us out on the day.
Programme
First Half – in the arena
Death or Glory, March
Live and let Die, Soloist Bob Turner
Moon River
Napoli, Soloist Richard Warren
Life on Mars
Les Miserables
Second Half – under cover
Jubilee, March
The Hustle
Over the Rainbow, Soloist Alan Smithers
Let’s Face the Music and Dance
Valero
Birdland
