The Society’s programme of fundraising events for the Aphra Behn statue got off to a wonderful start on Friday 29 April. An audience of some 70 fans packed into Lower Hardres Village Hall to hear the superb Canterbury Winds and mezzo soprano Emily Renshaw deliver a delightful and varied programme of lively music, including ‘The Town Rake’, a song by Daniel Purcell for Aphra’s play The Younger Brother that had not been heard for almost 350 years!

Members and friends contributed generously to the Aphra fund not only by attending but also by buying raffle tickets and drinks from the bar.

The Society is enormously grateful to all who contributed to the evening, especially Emily, Grenville Hancox and Canterbury Winds, as well as those who donated raffle prizes and gave so much of their time, talent and effort. It was worth it: the event is estimated to have raised sufficient funds to meet the cost of a least a hand or a foot of the statue. Now for the rest: please contribute or sign up for one of the many other events arranged for this exciting Summer of Aphra.