"Simply the best" sing the crowd | Chorleywood Magazine

Prosecco flowed and Doritos were dipped by the score in Chorleywood on Saturday evening (1st August) while hundreds of concert goers picnicked as they watched the annual live concert in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. The Music by Twilight event, hosted by Sue and David Formosa and organised by Mick Flinn, was held for the thirteenth year running in the Formosa’s stunning Heronsgate garden. Early evening music was provided on a satellite stage by local musicians Sophie Ray, Pete and Dunc and April Blue, followed on the spectacular main stage by local singer songwriter Craig Joiner, My Generation Band, Donna Jones, The Other Guys – a tribute to the legendary Jersey Boys and Visions of Tina Turner.

The weather behaved, the atmosphere was warm and the crowd were on their feet soon after the music started with many singing along to classic numbers from Frankie Valli hits to Who rock anthems and Tina Turner belters. It was a great night all round – again!

The evening has a reputation for being one of the charity’s most successful privately run fundraising events and all the money goes towards funding TCT units in NHS hospitals.

Rob Butcher, who was diagnosed with cancer in his late teens, spoke about how TCT had made so much difference to his hospital experience but also explained how the charity plays a part in a young patient’s life after discharge from hospital. It was particularly poignant that Rob, who starts at Southampton University in September, is around the same age of the majority of the voluntary crew working on the event.

“There are 28 TCT units in the country with superior medical facilities.” says Sue Formosa, “They provide an environment where young adults can meet others in a similar situation – bedrooms are like university accommodation and there’s a chill-out area, typically with a pool table, a juke box and a vibrant decor. The units improve the quality of young cancer patients’ lives and can help chances of recovery.”

As ever the technical set up at the concert was of top standard.

“We are incredibly lucky to have so many skilful individuals who give up their time” adds Mick Flinn, “and also generous local businesses who support us in so many ways from sponsorship to stage construction. People are always stunned by the level of professionalism in what is in effect a concert in a local garden. But it’s more than just a concert! ”

The talking point this year was the giant Hollywood-style illuminated Chorleywood sign set up by the Aurora Lighting team which was rumoured to use almost as much power as the whole lighting rig on stage.

” I can’t emphasise enough how grateful we are to Mick Flinn for organising this event. Without him there wouldn’t be a concert.” adds Sue, “It involves a tremendous amount of work and co-ordination and was another complete success.”

In excess of £30,000 was raised bringing the Chorleywood total to just over £300,000 for 13 concerts.

One TCT unit costs between £1million and £3million.

To donate £5 text GIVE to 70500

Photographer Lalita Scott captured the atmosphere of the evening on camera.