A total of £153,184.78 has been donated to Lytham Hall courtesy of the most successful 2021 WonderHall – this includes all ticket sales from yesterday’s Picnic Proms concert, headlined by Russell Watson. The money raised will support the running of the Hall and estate as well as the continued restoration of the Grade 1 listed Georgian mansion.
It was during the interval of the sell-out Sunday night WonderHall show that Russell Watson joined promoters Daniel Cuffe and Peter Taylor to presenting a cheque to Lytham Hall general manager Peter Anthony, assistant manager Paul Lomax and trustee Steve Williams (featured headline photo).
Peter Anthony, General Manager of Lytham Hall, was delighted by the much needed cash injection to the Hall’s funds: He said, ‘The management team and trustees here at Lytham Hall are absolutely thrilled to receive this amazing donation from Cuffe and Taylor. WonderHall has been vital in bringing people back together. The entertainment industry has been hit so hard by the pandemic, so it has been great to see this parkland spring back into life. The feel-good factor and better mental wellbeing is what entertainment helps promote in abundance…which is the tonic everyone needs right now. Hats off to Cuffe and Taylor for bringing a collection of top artists together for this fabulous six-day event set in the stunning historic parkland of Lytham Hall.’
Peter then continued by sharing specifically how the money will assist in securing the restoration of the Hall, saying, ‘The money is a major boost, helping with the continued restoration of the historic property and ensuring it can be enjoyed by future generations. Current projects on the priority list which the donation will help take a step closer include: the South prospect garden – there are plans to make this outstanding and return some of the plant collections that once existed as well as create an alfresco tea garden; the specialist interior decoration of some of the most significant rooms in the Georgian Hall; the introduction of a lily pond oxygenator; repairs of stones and brickwork to the listed buildings; redecoration and interpretation of John Talbot Clifton’s billiard room; supporting drainage improvement schemes; improvements to the gardener’s cottage and gatehouses.’
Peter Taylor, Director of Cuffe and Taylor, spoke proudly of his company’s involvement, ‘Everyone who knows Cuffe and Taylor knows just how much the town of Lytham and the whole of the Fylde coast means to us. Our business started here and enjoys so much support from the community so when you are given an opportunity to give something back to that community it is an absolute pleasure. Russell’s performance as part of WonderHall has been two years in the planning and to have finally got to the point where we can donate £153,000 to Lytham Hall is a moment our whole team is very proud of. Lytham Hall is a magnificent gemstone in the crown of the Fylde coast, it has been the most perfect setting for WonderHall and long may it continue to welcome visitors old and new.’
And the star of the show, Russell Watson (pictured below at the Sunday Proms) added these words: ‘It is very special to be part of something so important for this beautiful venue. Cuffe and Taylor have been incredibly generous with their donation to Lytham Hall and I feel honoured to be part of that.’
