ALTON’S annual ‘Last Night of the Proms’ attracted a capacity crowd to the Public Gardens, there to enjoy good music, with friends, picnicking in the warmth of a balmy summer evening.

With gates opening to record numbers of over 2,000 visitors, it seemed like every blade of grass was covered with chairs and rugs.

Now in its 12 year, featuring Alton Concert Orchestra, conducted by Chris Gardner and David Budd, Alton Operatic and Dramatic Society (AODS) and Luminosa, this year’s programme was themed on ‘Fire and Water’.

Kicking off with the Overture to The Pirates of Penzance, in the first half the audience were taken through the heat of the Conga del Feugo Nuevo and Danse Infernale from L’oiseau de Feu to end with songs from Guys and Dolls, as performed by AODS and Luminosa, with soloists Richard Seeckts, Hannah Garcia, Christine Bothwell and Mark Aston.

In the second half Alton Orchestra began with Fingal’s Cave ’ The Hebrides’ before plunging into Nimrod and Fantasia on British Sea Songs.

With Union Jacks waving, the audience joined in with unbated enthusiasm as the orchestra continued with Rule, Britannia! with soloist Rebekah Abbott, Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem before standing to sing the National Anthem and to link hands for Auld Lang Syne.

Organised by Alton Town Council and Alton Concert Orchestra, the event was fronted by Alton business development manager Julie McLatch and Alton Town Mayor Derek Gardner, who gave special thanks, not just to the performers but to the patrons and sponsors, David Tigg for the sound and lighting, Bethany Dobson for designing the Proms programme, Dataprint for printing it, Garthowen Garden Centre at Four Marks for the floral displays on the stage and Specsavers for providing face painting for the children.

The mayor said: “This is certainly an event that just keeps on giving.”

Designed as a self-funding event, there was a retiring collection which will go towards the staging of next year’s ‘Last Night of the Proms’.