Sir Cliff Richard leads all star line up at sensational Cartmel Racecourse Summer Concert
THOUSANDS of visitors descended upon one of the UK’s most unique racecourses to see a legend of British pop music take to the stage.
Sir Cliff Richard opened his Diamond Encore set at Cartmel Racecourse last night with some classic rock ‘n’ roll before thrilling the crowds with some of his biggest ever hits including Living Doll, Summer Holiday, Wired for Sound and We Don’t Talk Anymore.
As the warm sun set on the Cartmel Valley, Sir Cliff brought this year’s annual summer concert at the popular course to a close with some of his newest songs - including his 2019 release Reborn.
Sir Cliff, the UK’s most successful selling artist, told the crowd: “I was telling people for weeks we’re coming to Cartmel and they said we would love it - and so far we have loved it.
“We are very happy to be here,” he added.
Earlier in the evening, multi-million selling pop sensation Sophie Ellis-Bextor gave an energetic performance with hits including Take Me Home and Groovejet.
She had the audience on their feet dancing along to her number one track Murder on the Dancefloor.
Later, postmodern swing stars The Fly Boys charged the atmosphere even further on course with a set filled with their unique interpretation of modern tracks from The Backstreet Boys and Maroon 5, as well as a medley of Beatles Classics like When I’m 64 and With a Little Help From My Friends.
Holker Racing and Leisure managing director Steve Cooper said the Cartmel Racecourse Concert Day had been an out and out success.
“Thousands of people enjoyed some fantastic horse racing at this magical course before attention turned to our evening of live music.
“Sophie Ellis-Bextor was hugely popular with The Fly Boys adding something really unique to the mix.
“And finally, our headline act Sir Cliff Richard electrified the crowds with a superb performance that filled the Cartmel Valley with some of his biggest and best hits from a musical career spanning decades.”
Steve added: “Cartmel is one of just three venues in the country to host an outdoor concert from Sir Cliff this year, and we’re very privileged to have been able to invite him to our stage here in south Cumbria.
The concert got underway following a full afternoon of British horse racing which saw the likes of top flight National Hunt jockeys Sam Twiston Davies, Aiden Coleman and Brian Hughes battle for wins in the saddle.
Steve said: “Our team works very hard all year round to organise this event, so we’re all delighted it’s been such a success and that racegoers have once again enjoyed an unforgettable day out.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Images attached of Sir Cliff Richard, The Fly Boys and Sophie Ellis-Bextor on stage at Cartmel Racecourse. All images by Milton Haworth.
Cartmel Racecourse stages National Hunt (jump) racing. There are nine fixtures in the Cartmel racing calendar, commencing on the Whit Holiday weekend in May and running through the August Bank Holiday weekend. Cartmel’s most valuable race, the Cumbria Crystal Cup is staged during the July meeting.
Racecourse guests can luxuriate in the Louis Roederer restaurant. Located on the first floor of the Grandstand (within the Paddock enclosure), the restaurant has a new look for 2019. With its own private viewing balcony, this restaurant boasts panoramic views of the racecourse, finishing line and parade ring,
For the 2019 race season, the racecourse has announced an exciting new collaboration with Rogan & Co, Simon Rogan’s Cartmel-based Michelin starred neighbourhood restaurant. Rogan & Co at Cartmel Races will be launched as an exclusive new venue for the 2019 racing season. It will combine the culinary excellence of Rogan & Co with the first trackside hospitality offering at the Racecourse, taking the form of a stylish glass-fronted marquee and garden terrace overlooking the famous finishing straight.
The racecourse is just minutes from the village of Cartmel, which is situated at the southern end of the Lake District Peninsula, very close to both the shores of Morecambe Bay and to Windermere.
This press release was issued by 32West on behalf of Cartmel Racecourse. If you have any questions or requests, please contact Caroline Barber on 07711 820 944.