Proms in the Park 2025 a great success

Even with grey skies and rain, the event received tremendous support from residents and visitors, and a great evening of music was enjoyed.

The concert celebrated both the 90th anniversary of the park and the recent VE Day which was marked with a one-minute silence.

Organised by the Borough Council, the free open-air concert featured performances from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Wind Orchestra, an ensemble comprising more than 50 talented young musicians.

Under the baton of acclaimed conductor Douglas Mitchell, the RBC Wind Orchestra performed a feast of well-known music from The Beatles to Shostakovich, classic films such as Lord of the Rings and Superman, and West End favourites like The King and I, alongside Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 and Walton’s Crown Imperial, so there was plenty of flag waving to help end the concert in style.

The orchestra was joined by singer Rose Johnson, a prize-winning graduate of The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, currently starring on the prestigious Young Artists’ programme with British Youth Opera.

Local business Bond Street Distillery provided an outdoor bar and Friends of Hollycroft Park sold tea and coffee and there was also an ice cream van, something for all the family. The Hinckley Branch of the Royal British Legion were also in attendance fundraising and raised over £450.

Council Leader, Cllr Stuart Bray said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Douglas Mitchell, Rose Johnson and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Wind Orchestra for a fabulous evening. This event was a great opportunity to celebrate the 90th anniversary of our award-winning park and to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE day. It was a delight to see the park so full with everyone enjoying the evening.”

Council Chief Executive Bill Cullen said: “My thanks to all the council staff involved in the event organisation and to the Green Spaces team and Hollycroft Park volunteers for all the work they do to maintain this beautiful park. Our partnership with the Birmingham Conservatoire goes from strength to strength and their young musicians and artists are an inspiration for the young aspiring musicians of the borough. We are so lucky to have this green space on our doorstep and to be able to host events such as this.”