news release 10 September 2008

Britannia will be ruling the waves and Union Flags will be flying in South Derbyshire this weekend to officially launch a new outdoor arena at the award-winning Rosliston Forestry Centre.

Surrounded by trees and capable of accommodating an audience of 1,000-plus, The Glade in the Forest has been purpose-built to provide an outdoor arena that can host a wide range of functions including theatrical and musical performances, corporate events, educational activities and civil marriage ceremonies.

Taking to its impressive covered proscenium stage on Friday will be Newhall Band, which has been asked to give a 'Last Night of the Proms' concert as part of the invitation-only opening celebration.

Coming close to the end of the BBC Proms season, Newhall Band will be playing a full concert, complete with Britannia herself and the traditional Pomp and Circumstance of the Last Night.

Attending the concert will be dozens of invited guests, representing the partners that own the Forestry Centre and organisations that have helped fund the new facilities.

As well as The Glade in the Forest, Rosliston Forestry Centre has had two new forest lodges added to its facilities this year. VIP guests at Friday's celebration will be given the opportunity to have a look at these as well as to enjoy a buffet ahead of the concert.

The official opening ceremony of The Glade in the Forest will be carried out by John Foxroft, Chair of Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP) and South Derbyshire Chairman Councillor Mrs Anne Hood.

If the concert proves successful the partners in Rosliston Forestry Centre hope to make Last Night of the Proms an annual event that is open to all.