A pioneering orchestra are pulling out all the stops to help an award-winning charity dedicated to keeping children and young people safe.
A quartet from NEW Sinfonia, which was set up to showcase young classical musical talent in the region, will be part of a galaxy of talent lined up to perform at the annual Christmas concert of DangerPoint at St Asaph Cathedral.
They will play at the cathedral alongside a top ladies’ choir and singers from four schools on the evening of Friday December 1.
DangerPoint, which is based in Talacre, was set up through a public and private partnership to improve the safety, health and wellbeing of people across North Wales from the age of five upwards and to encourage them to make positive life choices and not become involved in crime and anti-social behaviour.
Earlier this year it was one of three charities chosen in a competition by the St Asaph Diocese to stage a fundraising event in the historic cathedral with the usual hire fee being waived.
At the centre visiting children and young people encounter a range different scenarios involving dangerous or difficult situations.
Among them are a dark alley, a bus, a train carriage, a beach, a building site, a shop, a farm yard and one of the most dangerous places of all – the home!
There are interactive films and even a driving simulator that’s up to the standard of the best computer games in terms of software and graphics.
DangerPoint deputy manager Cat Harvey-Aldcroft, who has masterminded the event, said: “The annual Christmas concert is our main fundraiser of the year and to be staging it in the marvellous surroundings of St Asaph Cathedral with such an array of musical talent is just amazing.
“The concert will feature the choirs from four schools located near Dangerpoint – Ysgol Bryn Garth, Penyffordd, Gronant Community Primary, Ysgol Mornant, Picton, and Ysgol Trelogan. Also performing on the night are the Flint Ladies’ Choir.
“A real coup for us is to have the quartet from NEW Sinfonia, an orchestra which has such a great reputation in the musical world and gives truly wonderful performances. We’re very lucky to have them.
“Rather than carols, all the groups involved will be performing lots of favourite Christmas songs to help people get into the seasonal spirit.”
NEW Sinfornia’s artistic director and joint founder Robert Guy said: “We are really happy to be taking part in a concert for such a worthwhile charity as DangerPoint.
“We’re always more than happy to share a stage with other community groups, especially schools.
“We’re still working on final details of the concert programme but we know it will start with a 20 or 30-minute slot from the excellent children’s choirs involved, followed by a performance of similar length from our quartet.
“The Flint Ladies’ Choir will then sing and the evening will be rounded off with a rousing grand finale.
“The musical emphasis will be on standard Christmas songs rather than carols and the finale just has to include We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Robert added: “The line-up for the quartet is still being decided but we’ll certainly be including instruments such as the viola and cello and my brother Jonathan, who was joint founder of NEW Sinfornia, will be on clarinet.
“It’s going to be a memorable evening and we’re really looking forward to it, especially performing alongside the Flint Ladies’ Choir for the first time.
“It’s a reminder that at a time when people traditionally come together it’s important to do things for others. DangerPoint is a wonderful charity which does so much to ensure the safety of vulnerable groups.”
Explaining more about the charity, Cat Harvey-Aldcroft said: “Dangerpoint, which is based on the Granary Court Business Park in Station Road, Talacre, is an interactive visitor centre for schools and organised groups which offers visitors the opportunity to learn about safety – but not in the way you might think.
“Our centre is full of fun and interactive activities to keep everyone entertained throughout the visit.
“It’s designed like a film set and visitors can journey from the home to the beach, countryside, playground, farm and other settings learning about risks and how to keep safe whilst, most importantly, having fun.
“There are no age limits and we cater for anyone aged from five upwards.”
Tickets for the December 1 concert, which starts at 7pm, are priced at £6 for adults and £3 for a child. They are available in advance by emailing: bookings@dangerpoint.org.uk
