GLITZ and Glamour came to Saffron Walden as local sight loss charity Support 4 Sight (Essex) hosted a musical concert. The spectacular Concert by Candlelight evening – complete with Pimm s on the lawn, hand-made canap�s and classical music at St Mark s Co

GLITZ and Glamour came to Saffron Walden as local sight loss charity Support 4 Sight (Essex) hosted a musical concert.

The spectacular Concert by Candlelight evening - complete with Pimm's on the lawn, hand-made canap�s and classical music at St Mark's College - was held to celebrate the launch of the 'Friends of Support 4 Sight' special membership scheme.

It marked the first occasion for local people to sign up to become an official 'friend', which is open to anyone who donates at least �10 per annum to the charity.

The evening also coincided with the announcement that Lady Braybrooke has agreed to become Support 4 Sight's Patron.

Concert by Candlelight was an 'eye-opening' treat, as musicians Quintus Benziger and Ann Holloway with soprano Anita McKenzie-Mills delighted the audience.

Lord and Lady Braybrooke, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex Lord Petre, Uttlesford District Council chairman Alastair Walters and Saffron Walden mayor Doug Perry were amongst the guests who enjoyed the musical recital.

The audience revelled in the song choices, specially chosen for Support 4 Sight, which contained a selection of pieces; the names of which included the words "eye" or "see", or were written by a blind composer.

There was also an especially composed piece, written for Support 4 Sight by Quintus Benziger, celebrating the bi-centenary of Louis Braille.

Director of Support 4 Sight, Madeleine Cassidy, said: "Support 4 Sight is delighted that Lady Braybrooke has become our Patron and joined our guests, members and volunteers at the concert to celebrate our charity's services and the launch of Friends of Support 4 Sight.

"We are indebted to Quintus Benziger, Ann Holloway and Anita McKenzie-Mills who performed a wonderful concert for us, to our volunteers who assisted us and to all those who supported our services for local visually impaired people by becoming an official Friend of our charity".

Support 4 Sight operates a centre at 2&4 George Street in Saffron Walden and conducts home visits to visually impaired people and can give advice on ways of coping with sight loss.

People with concerns about their sight can contact the charity weekdays, from 9.30am to 2.30pm on 01799 523700 or drop into the centre.

Funds raised from the concert and from the Friends of Support 4 Sight will go to supporting the charity's services for visually impaired people and the promotion of good eye care in the community.

The new membership scheme is open to local people and anyone interested in becoming a Friend of Support 4 Sight should contact Christine Marshall on 01799 523700 for information.