Jubilee garden party and evening concert at Knighton Hall on Saturday

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Robert Burgess, throws open the grounds of his home Knighton Hall on Saturday for a Diamond Jubilee Fête and Evening Concert. Everyone welcome!

The Jubilee Fête, which is being organised by members of St Mary’s Parish Church and Knighton Free Church, will be opened at 11.00am by local businesswoman/diet guru Rosemary Conley. At midday Mrs Conley will judge a children’s parade of home-made crowns and there will be a prize for the best, so get your foil and sticky tape out now.

Throughout the day there will be craft stalls, refreshments, and children’s games and activities (including the almost obligatory bouncy castle). Live music will be provided by KGB Jazz, Leicester High School Choir and the Simpletones barbershop quintet.

The fete runs from 11.00am to 4.00pm, entrance is just one pound (kids get in free) and all proceeds will be donated to Hope Against Cancer and sight loss charity Vista.

In the evening, after the stalls have been put away and the bouncy castle deflated, the Hall grounds will resound to the sounds of brass at the Jubilee Concert. Once again, everyone is welcome. Bring along your own food and drink and folding chairs, rugs or whatever else you need for a jolly summer evening picnic.

Gates open at 7.00pm and the music starts at half past, courtesy of nationally acclaimed all-ladies brass band Boobs and Brass.

Tickets cost £10.00 for adults, a fiver for children and must be purchased in advance from Knighton Parish Office (0116 270 2705) or Michael Kirk (0116 270 7843) or Carolyn Oldershaw (07885 089990). Proceeds to Hope Against Cancer, Vista and the Breast Cancer Campaign.

Knighton Hall is a 17th century manor house (with 18th century additions) which was owned by the Cradock family from 1720 until it was purchased by University College Leicester in 1931. Entrance to the grounds is from Carisbrooke Road or the corner of Knighton Road and Church Lane.