THE Cockington Prom is to return this summer on 12th July for the first time in four years.

Tormohun Rotary Club last organised a prom event in the park in 2005, before dropping it and moving indoors to the Princess Theatre after doubts over its profitability.

Now promotion company Twisted Events has taken up the challenge for this summer, with all proceeds going to Rowcroft Hospice.

They've arranged for Classic FM's Mark Forrester to host six hours of great music, including South Devon chart topper Keedie Babb.

Former TBGS pupil and proms event director Rob Hartman said: "We decided to organise it because we felt it was something the area needed.

"We found ourselves in a position to put something together and bring an event that people loved back.

"I think we are confident it will raise money and the tickets will sell because the feedback has been superb already. So many people have wanted tickets even before they are launched.

"It's been crazy but shows just what a popular event it is."

The proms will be split into two halves on July 12.

Part one will see the Half Quartet, a blend of original contemporary jazz with a hint of familiar classics, as well as Gypsy Fire, an eclectic blend of Spanish Latin and European gypsy jazz guitar.

Then the lazy afternoon session will ease audiences into a hot summer mood with three hours of the finest classic hits and modern covers.

Part two will see three hours of exquisite orchestral masterpieces performed by Devon's own 62-piece Westward Symphony Orchestra and Torbay's classical superstar Keedie Babb.

                                               

Lark Ascending, Montague's and Capulates, Fantasia on British Sea Songs and music from Pirates of The Caribbean will be just a few of the masterpieces on offer.

Tickets for the event, costing £20, don't go on sale until May 14 but before then you can complete an advance application form to secure a place.

Leaflets can be collected at Cockington Court, Rowcroft Hospice and The Treasury Bar in Torquay.

        
                                           The Village                                                                                           The Pub

                                    
                                                                                                 The Venue

              For full details of this fabulous event and to book tickets go to:- { www.cockingtonproms.co.uk }

SOUTH Devon singing sensation Keedie Babb is to marry a plasterer after a whirlwind romance.

Top classical singer Keedie, 26, is to wed James Green, 28, of C & J Plastering in Torquay this autumn.

The two became engaged just three months after meeting last June.

Keedie said: "James proposed last September just before we flew to Singapore for the Grand Prix where I was performing for Ferrari. It was like a pre-honeymoon.

"He proposed at Cockington. We went for a long walk and he was acting dodgy, then he asked me to marry him.

"He had even asked my dad's permission beforehand.

"I have never felt this way before. He is a real gentleman."

Keedie's career has seen her sing alongside the likes of Tina Turner and she had a number two single with former Blue member Duncan James.

She said James isn't fazed by her fame.

"He didn't know I was a singer when we first met," she said.

"But now he comes to most of my performances. He is my biggest fan."

Keedie and James will wed at Cockington Church in October just a few months after she performs at the Cockington Proms.

She is keeping tight lipped about the guest list but admitted that Duncan James and one-time Liberty X member Michelle Heaton are coming along.

Her bridesmaids will be her three sisters and friend Kelly Shaw who was a member of her first band Keedie and Co.

In the meantime, alongside her prom appearance she will be wowing guests at the South Devon Football League's awards night in June.

James is the son of league secretary Paul Green.

Keedie & James

The legendary UK singer songwriter, Rod Stewart, dazzled a star studded audience when he performed a series of his greatest hits at an exclusive charity ball in London last night.

The headline act at this year's Butterfly Ball, Rod performed hits Maggie May and Sailing as part of an hour-long set at the bash in Battersea last night.

The beautiful Keedie Babb, sensational soprano, had the guests spellbound to her extraordinary voice!

The ball is an annual event to raise money for national charity, Caudwell Children which provide donations of treatments, therapies and specialist equipment to sick and disabled children in the UK. Despite the economic downturn, celebrities donned their glad rags and turned out in force to raise a total of £1.7 million.

Hosted by comedy duo, Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins at Battersea Evolution arena, more than 800 guests, including celebrities Elizabeth Hurley, Bruce Forsyth, Frank Lampard, Rachel Stevens, Danny Cipriani and Boyzone, joined charity founder, billionaire entrepreneur John Caudwell to help children with disabilities.

A range of famous guests competed in the Destination Dreams auction, to pay for holidays for sick and disabled children and their families.

Other auction prizes included a week-long stay on Richard Branson's exotic Necker Island resort, which went for £50,000, a bespoke diamond encrusted Mark Wilkinson jewellery case in the shape of Marilyn Monroe which was snapped up for £90,000, a round of golf with Bruce Forsyth, which raised £40,000, an opportunity to meet Rod Stewart went for £18,000 and the WBO Championship Belt from the classic 1993 fight between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank, which raised £25,000. A painting of a butterfly by nine-year-old Tilly Griffiths, who has spinal muscular atrophy disease and her sister Candice, 11, from Cheddleton, Staffordshire, raised £860,000.

Speaking after the event, John Caudwell, commented: "It is heart-warming to see that despite the current economic climate people are still prepared to help the less fortunate and I'm very grateful to all of our generous supporters. We were thrilled to have Rod Stewart headline the event. His performance lived up to everyone's expectation and was the perfect culmination of a fantastic event."

The celebrity guests were joined by a number of the charity's child ambassadors, who travelled to London for the special evening, including Tilly. She said: "It was a wonderful evening. It is great to see so much money raised so Caudwell Children can help other children the same way they helped me."

Tilly has received two donations of electric wheelchairs from the charity and her family now dedicate a lot of their spare time to fundraising and promoting the work of Caudwell Children.

Trudi Beswick, chief executive officer for Caudwell Children said: "The night has been a resounding success, we are immensely grateful to our guests. The money raised tonight will significantly impact on hundreds of children's lives living in the UK."

'Rocker Rod' performs his usual magic....


....and Keedie is sensational as usual!!

                         


Keedie with Frank Lampard

    
The most beautiful lady at the ball!!


OK Magazine feature of this special event