The first season in 1995, which featured pianist Peter Katin and other renown artists, set the tone and drew modest audiences. From this small beginning has grown a four-concert season with a well deserved reputation for quality music by international artists. A small committee of local people was formed in 1996, supported by AVDC, to develop the concerts' potential and reputation.

Audiences too have grown, coming from all over the Vale and increasingly further afield. People really sat up and took notice when Richard Baker and pianist Ralf Terroni gave a concert of words and music in April 1996. The appearance of Julian Lloyd-Webber, a real coup, in a later session packed the house out.

A loyal core of over 100 season ticket holders are the reward for an outstanding series of concerts featuring the Kempf Trio, Tasmin Little, The City of London Sinfonia, Soloists of the Royal Opera House, The Academy of St Martins in the Field Chamber Ensemle and many more international names.

Excellence, of course, comes at a price. The committee works hard to supplement ticket income with sponsorship from local organisations and generous individuals together with grants from arts bodies. The enormous pleasure enjoyed by an ever growing audience of classical music lovers led last year to the founding of a Patrons' List, resulting in further generous donations.

Artists also really enjoy performing at Wendover. Many are keen to return to the superb acoustics and appreciative audiences at St Mary's. They particularly enjoy being looked after by the committee and the post-concert buffet supper has apparently gained quite a reputation!