Community / Lunna Kirk to host classical concert next month
Funds raised will go towards its preservation as well as the RNLI
THE ICONIC kirk at Lunna will host its first concert since the historical building was transferred into community ownership earlier this year.
Local pianist Neil Georgeson and professional soprano Catherine Bilton, a member of the Pippa Dames-Longworth Singing Salon Opera Group, will perform Tales of the Sea, a mix of classical songs and music from Elgar, Haydn, Schubert and more.
All proceeds of the concert on Saturday 10 August will go towards the ongoing maintenance of the kirk and for the RNLI as part of its 200th anniversary fundraising.
Both musicians are also donating their professional services in aid of the chosen charities, as is Derek Hendry who is providing the electronic piano for the concert.
The concert is being organised by Lunna Kirk Preservation Group and neighbour Helen Erwood, who has known Bilton since before she became a professional soprano.
“It just so happens that Neil is also in Shetland at this time, so I was able to connect up with them and ask each of them very nicely if they would be able to help us – and they both magnanimously said yes,” Erwood said.
“Lunna Kirk isn’t very big – we have only 120 tickets to sell – and we hope it will be a magical evening for those who are fans of classical music.”
Lunna Kirk Preservation Group became the owner of the historic building on the Lunna peninsular in early April six years after the Church of Scotland first announced that it would close and sell off 20 of its 31 church buildings in Shetland.
Its chair Steven Robertson said the committee saw themselves as the custodians of the kirk and was keen to see it being used in keeping with the history of the building.
Tickets are £20 and will shortly be available from Tagon Stores, the Vidlin shop and High Level Music in Lerwick.
Note: Lunna Kirk – also known as St Margaret’s – is not readily wheelchair accessible, and there are no toilets in the building.
