THE Friends of Tabley’s penultimate concert of the season was “An Evening with the Hallé Strings”. The duo comprised Sarah Ewins (co-principal violin) and Tim Pooley (viola), a real life duo as they are married.

Their programme ranged far and wide with Mozart, madrigals by Bohuslav Martinu, Teleman's Fantasia for solo violin in E flat major, Stravinsky’s Elegy for solo viola and a Passacaglia by Handel arranged by Halvorsen.

Tim’s solo opened up a whole new view of the viola which is usually heard only ensemble. Sue played an early-seventeenth century Amati violin whose sound was wonderful in the Tabley picture gallery.

Wine and canapés were served courtesy of caterers, the Chairman’s wife and the Minutes secretary. On the strength of the delightful evening of exceptional music (and perhaps the canapés) several new members joined the Friends.

The final Friends’ event this season is a concert with the Border Singers, Serenade for a Summer’s Night on July 15 at 7.30pm pm at Tabley House. Songs will be interspersed with readings from Tabley’s literary heritage including pieces by the Cavalier Sir Peter Leicester of Tabley.

For tickets and further details please contact Anna Smyth 01565 651979, anna.smyth6@gmail.com.

Sarah Webb