If you were driving past St Andrew’s Church on Saturday 19th August in the afternoon and wondered what was going on, then read on…
The Church was the venue for a sight loss exhibition featuring 15 exhibitors. They included The Stoneygate Eye Hospital, Costco Opticians Optometrists, The Macular Society, Glenfield NHS Diabetic Eye Screening, Vista Rothley Charity Clothes Shop, Centrebus Hop! Bus, St John Ambulance, Vista Mobile Support Service van, Glyn’s Super Whippy ‘Eyes Cream’ van, and several interactive activities allowing visitors to appreciate what it is like to live with sight loss.
Lesia Smaditch, the organiser of the event said “With Vista’s Kathleen Rutland home on our doorstep, I thought it would be a great opportunity to raise awareness of sight loss as well as promote good eye health. The exhibition was a great success with around 150 people visiting the various stands. Everyone I spoke to talked about new things they had learned about sight loss. I am so happy to share with you all that we raised a wonderful £1200 for Vista and I know that the charity will benefit greatly from this money. Thank you to everyone who volunteered and participated.”
The evening ended with the Musical Village Summer Concert featuring the beautiful voice of soprano soloist Denise Leigh, who became famous after winning Channel 4’s Operatunity. She and her accompanist, Stefan Andrusyschyn, wowed the audience with a variety of film music. The concert was compered by Dave Andrews DL who introduced Libby Clegg MBE, an inspirational paralympic gold medal winning sportswoman who spoke about her life. Local musicians, Mark Hemmings and Andy Carvill, introduced the audience to the soothing sound of the harmonica and Slavko Madylus charmed the audience with his personal stories and songs from Ukraine. Musical Village duets, ensembles and choirs entertained with a range of music for every taste, but it was the Vista Voices choir and soloists who stole everyone’s hearts with their amazing singing. Thanks to The Stoneygate Eye Hospital for sponsoring the event and to St Andrew’s Church for providing such a wonderful and versatile venue.
If you would like to join one of the choirs, please contact Musical Village on 07873 254279 or email info@musicalvillage.co.uk or come along to one of our Christmas concerts on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 December.