HUNDREDS?of music lovers flocked to Alton’s Public Gardens on Saturday for the town’s very own version of the Last Night of the Proms.

And it was made extra special by the sizzling selection of music from Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain, and ending with patriotic fervour with Union Flags flying and everyone in fine voice.

It was a record turnout for the the 10th renewal of the annual Proms in the Park, with the fine, warm weather encouraging concertgoers of all ages to break out the deck chairs and picnic hampers for an evening of good music.

Compered by Paul Le Feuvre, with a welcome by Alton mayor Matthew Bayliss, the mood was set for another outstanding programme featuring the Alton Concert Orchestra, led by chairman Chris Leggett and conducted by David Budd and Chris Gardner, whose musical journey began in the Caribbean with Conga del Fuego Nuevo, followed by Jamaican Rumba before crossing to Argentina for a selection of music from the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic Evita.

The audience was then treated to the magic of acoustic guitarist Daryl Kellie, who played music from Spain, before the Holybourne Singers took to the stage with Elgar’s Spanish Serenade followed by a rendition of Mambo from West Side Story.

Conducted by Rebekah Abbott, it was the Holybourne Singers who, following more music from West Side Story by the concert orchestra, opened the second part of the programme, with Verdi’s Brindisi from La Traviata, with guest soloist Alison Lewis unexpectedly accompanied in the ‘male’ role, to the delight of the audience, by Alton Operatic and Dramatic Society’s Jane Gray.

Then the flags came out and the evening launched into patriotic song with Elgar’s Nimrod followed by Henry Wood’s Fantasia on British Sea Songs, with Alison Lewis singing Britannia to rapturous applause.

Pomp and Circumstance was followed by Jerusalem and the National Anthem, with soprano Rebekah Abbott taking the lead in a fitting climax to a hugely enjoyable evening.

Conductor David Budd said of the proms: “It was a pleasure to conduct, play and listen to the music and it was a fabulous performance from everybody involved. The pieces the orchestra played were not always easy, but we pulled it off with real assurance.

“It was also really nice to perform alongside Holybourne Singers, who were terrific, and Alison Lewis was a superb Britannia. Plus it didn’t even threaten to rain. What more can we ask for? Thanks to everyone for making it such a great day.”

Fellow conductor Chris Gardner added: “Wow! I really felt that everyone played out of their skin and it really was a performance we can all be proud of.”

An orchestra member added: “We really enjoyed playing to an audience who were so receptive, they were in especially fine form for the Sailor’s Hornpipe!”

Co-ordinated by Alton Town Council, with sound system by David Tigg, the Last Night of the Proms is the culmination of months of careful planning and rehearsals by the musicians and singers. The event aims to be self-funding and relies largely on sponsorship and donations to the retiring collection on the night.