10:00pm Thursday 18th June 2009
By Neil D'Arcy-Jones
COLCHESTER health club and spa, Clarice House, is opening its scenic surroundings to the public this summer for a number of outdoor events.
Since opening at the former Kingsford Park Hotel in Layer Road, just outside the town, Clarice House has been a popular destination for those wanting to get fit and enjoy good food.
But now owners are looking to give minds a bit of a workout with an outdoor concert and a Shakespeare play in the garden.
First up, on July 19, will be the Colne Valley Youth Orchestra, who regularly perform concerts all over the area.
They will be performing a selection of well-known classical numbers and to mark the 40th anniversary of the twinning between Wetzler and Colchester this year, it is hoped students from the German town will also be performing at the concert.
On August 2, the highly acclaimed Chapterhouse Theatre Company will be performing Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Award-winning chef Paul Boorman said the programme of events were being held at Clarice House to promote the venue and that his Juniper restaurant would be putting on special menus for each one.
He said: “Several of our diners and members had asked us why we didn’t do anything with the gardens here, so now we are.
“We are starting off with just two events to see what the public’s response is, but if they are successful, we are looking to do a lot more next year.”
For more information about Clarice House’s Summer of Events, call 01206 734301.
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