I simply must put pen to paper to express, on behalf of the thousands present I am positively sure, grateful thanks to all concerned for the most wonderful evening of music and song in Peasholm Park last Friday night.

We were blessed with fine evening weather in the most perfect setting for such a glorious event and were blessed beyond measure with three fine tenors, in tJeffrey Steward, Martin Neil Dunn and Dewi Williams, who sang their hearts out to a huge audience who seemed to occupy every square inch of body-parking available around the lake!

However, not least and once again at the very heart of this major summer event, was the legendary Scarborough Spa Orchestra. The accompaniments they so ably, professionally and musically provided for the three singers, plus their own contributions to the programme were truly inspiring.

This was Scarborough at its very best, and right at the heart of it was its very own, unique and legendary professional seaside orchestra, something which, by all concerned, is to be prized, supported and increasingly promoted.

Thanks to this orchestra, these unique and wonderful crowd-drawing occasions are possible in the seaside town of Scarborough alone, not to mention the wonderful concerts almost every morning and evening throughout the season in the Suncourt and Grand Hall respectively which draw supporters from all “airts and pairts” (places!) to this seaside town year after year after year! Here’s to the ‘09 Summer season.

Thanks beyond measure to all who contributed – and thanks also for the spectacular firework display at the end which took to the skies above Peasholm on the very last sung note of Nessun Dorma, but most of all, in the now almost immortal words of Abba, so Paul Laidlow and the legendary Scarborough Spa Orchestra – “Thank You for the Music”.

Rev Ian W F Hamilton

Nairn Old Parish Manse

Scotland