Organisers of Grayshott Concerts were delighted last week when they received news of not just one surprise award but two.

The first came when Cllr Sam James, Grayshott's County Councillor, presented a cheque for £1,000 to Vivien Harrison, Artistic Director of Grayshott Concerts, at the Grayshott Village Assembly on Friday. Cllr James explained that the Award is available from his specially dedicated Hampshire County Councillor fund which recognises activities which bring significant benefits to local Hampshire communities.

Thanking Cllr James, Mrs Harrison said that every penny of the award would go towards the cost of bringing one of the world's most promising young violinists, the 20-year-old, Guildford-born, Chloe Hanslip, to perform in Grayshott with the famous London Mozart Players on 1st November 2008. "Having Chloe perform in Grayshott is a huge coup for the village", she said. "We are delighted that this award will help to make this unique performance possible."

Grayshott Concert's Director of Marketing, Peter Harrison, later announced that they had also been honoured with an award from the National Lottery - "Awards for All" - Fund worth £10,000 for community activities. Mr Harrison said that, as support for classical music events in Grayshott had grown and grown since 2004, it was vital that audiences could see clearly the top-flight performers who were now 'lining up' to come to the village. So the money would be spent on obtaining professional dismantleable staging to be used at events at St Luke's and for other activities in the village. "We have had to rely on borrowing staging in the past, and on the kindness of friends to transport it back and forth," he said. "We are very grateful to all our helpers but now we won't have to trouble them - and everyone will be able to see the stars who perform for us. It's a great honour to get this award."

Grayshott Concerts next event sponsored by Applegarth Farm and Huntington House Nursing Home is Look! It's Bruch! on Saturday 12th April at St Luke's Church. Featuring Bruch's Violin Concerto with local star soloist Martin Smith, this concert is virtually sold out, but some ticket returns may be available on 01428 606666 or www.grayshottconcerts.co.uk. Pre-reservations already exceed 200 for Puccini's opera "Madama Butterfly" to be performed open-air at Grayshott Primary School on Saturday 12th July 2008.