Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel)

Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man

Brahms: Symphony No. 3

Conductor: Will Hooker

Since the Pico Players started in April 2014 we have raised over £45,000 for our chosen charities. Much of this is down to our supporters' great generosity. This season. we are delighted to be supporting Contact the Elderly as our charity.

The number of people over 75 living alone in the UK is now estimated as approximately 2 million, and loneliness is common. Contact the Elderly runs tea parties for people aged over 75 who live alone. Once a month, guests are picked up by drivers who take them to a tea party hosted by someone in the area. The host and drivers all sit with the guests, enjoying tea, sandwiches, and cake (and at Christmas, sometime a full turkey dinner!) to provide some much needed company and cheer.

One of the Pico Players has been volunteering as a driver for a couple of years. “I really enjoy catching up with the guests and hosts each month and hearing people's stories of their time in London and further afield. I used to love spending time with my gran; she lived with my family and me, and was always saying how grateful she was for the noise in the house and having someone pop into her room for a cup of tea. After she passed away, I realised just how many people live without seeing anyone from one day to the next. Now I know from experience that the Contact the Elderly tea parties are a source of joy to people over 75, and I feel strongly there is more the charity could do with a little help and extra resource."