ECO on the quay

Sunday 20th June 2004

After a long spell of very dry weather, Sunday morning dawned with a cloudy sky threatening rain. Our hearts sank as we prepared for an afternoon of music on the Quay in Exeter. So many of our potential audience would stay indoors if the weather deteriorated, and our fundraising/promotion concert would be a washout.

We needn't have worried! Right on cue at 2pm the sun came out and the Quay was bathed in the warmth of a June day. A crocodile of players and adults fetched chairs from the nearby New Theatre, and encyclopaedias and cushions were used to boost up the vertically challenged players at the back of the Orchestra! Clothes pegs from the Bowyer peg bag were distributed to keep errant music from blowing about in the breeze, and soon we were all tuned up and ready to begin.

A crowd gathered to see what was going on and we quickly waved collecting tins under their noses as the music started. Bold Committee members then visited every pub and cafe along the Quay to sell raffle tickets and collect donations for the Orchestra (well that's what they said they were doing!).

The sun glittered on the river, the sounds of the music wafted across to the visitors on the far side of the Exe, and we were joined by many local people as well as visitors to the city, who admired and praised the children for the superb quality of their playing and their enthusiasm. Purses and wallets were brought out and the collecting tins quickly filled up as the afternoon wore on. After a short break for much needed ice creams, ECO carried on playing to the crowd who showed no sign of drifting away.

All too soon it was 5pm, and suspiciously black clouds began to gather to the west of the city, so everything was quickly packed away, and we dispersed, with some families driving home in such a heavy downpour of rain that car wipers had to used on double speed! The collecting tins yielded a total of £230 which was excellent, and more importantly everyone who attended had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.