aaamusic | On 16, Sep 2010

Strictly Come Dancing’s Lilia Kopylova, Darren Bennett and Matthew Cutler perform on People Powered Dance Floor
Sound-sculptor Henry Dagg, the man who famously had the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in fits of giggles last Friday, has been booked to return to ‘A Garden Party to Make A Difference’ for three performances on Saturday 18 September at 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm.  Also appearing on Saturday are Strictly Come Dancing stars, Lilia Kopylova, Darren Bennett and Matthew Cutler.  Tickets are available from the on-site box office and www.startgardenparty.co.uk

‘A Garden Party to Make A Difference’ is the Prince of Wales’ 12 day eco-festival, taking place in the historic gardens of London’s Lancaster House, Clarence House and Marlborough House.  This imaginative and highly diverse event has a central theme of ‘sustainability’ which aims to make ‘green stuff’ fun and to demonstrate the small steps that can be taken to lead ‘greener’ lives: it is part of the Start initiative launched in February by the Prince of Wales.  A host of supporters from the worlds of science, arts, fashion and gardening have been appearing at the Garden Party, which started on 8 September and ends this Sunday, 19 September.

Henry Dagg, from Faversham, Kent, plays the handsaw, as well as his “cat-organ”, comprising 16 fluffy soft-toy kittens: it was their three minute ‘catcophony’ of ‘Over The Rainbow’ that brought his Royal audience to tears of laughter and made Henry an overnight sensation.

Hamish Watson of Polysolar, inventor of groundbreaking solar photovoltaic glazing, and an exhibitor at the Garden Party, also drew the attention of the Prince of Wales last Friday – neatly illustrating the two facets of this event.

Hamish Watson said: “The Garden Party’s entertainment programme, notably Henry Dagg, has helped draw enormous attention to areas such as mine, which have great potential for reducing ourdependency on traditional sources of electricity but perhaps don’t command the mainstream headlines. Everyone from HRH The Prince of Wales and Alan Titchmarsh to Stelios and Debra Meedon have been intrigued and excited by the simplicity and the enormous potential of the concept of transparent photovoltaic glass.”

Tickets are priced £15 for adults and £7.50.

For more information on Start, go to www.startuk.org