Autumn gift fair to be opened by James Bond

At 6.30pm the Autumn Gift Fair, on behalf of St Catherine’s Hospice, will see James Bond arriving with his latest and the new model Aston Martin, kindly supplied by Harwoods, on the recommendation of ‘M’ (Tony Read) and accompanied by the Bond Girls at Knepp Castle, Shipley.

Instead of his special service issue Colt 45, Mr Bond will also be demonstrating his lesser known but even more impressive musical skill as one of the UK’s leading violinists and the only British musician to own part of his Stradivarius violin.

He will perform and lead the counties most advanced Youth String Group ’The Gifted and Talented String Academy’ drawn from 200 Schools across the counties of Sussex and Surrey to open the fair and entertain our distinguished guests.

These outstanding young musicians will be supported by hosts Sir Charles and Lady Burrell, String Academy parents, organiser Sally Pavey with the reassuring administrative expertise of MoneyPenny. There will also be a touch of Casino Royale!

Tickets are likely to be in short supply, so please book now on 01293 447367.

Dress will be Black Tie or Bond theme for all those willing but not compulsory.

Pictured are the young and talented violin players of Sussex.

For more v www.BMGLive.com, www.facebook.com/autumngiftfair or www.stch.org.uk

Report and picture contributed by Sally Pavey.