Internationally renowned opera could come to village (From Bucks Free Press)

Opera wants to move to Wormsley Estate near Stokenchurch

9:30am Friday 28th May 2010 in Marlow By Rebecca Cain

STOKENCHURCH looks set to benefit from an internationally renowned open air opera on their doorstep as it gears up to move venues.

For 21 years Garsington Opera has been set at Garsington Manor near Oxford but wants to move to Wormsley Estate for the 2011 season.

The home of the Getty family is the preferred site for the opera and organisers are in the final stages of reaching an agreement to stage the festival in the Chiltern Hills.

The opera has been looking for a new home, following the death of their patron a few years ago. They will now seek planning permission to hold the festival in Wormsley which takes place from June to July.

Chairman of Stokenchurch Parish Council Malcolm Penny said: “It is an international festival which will draw people to the village.

“They talk about bringing trade to the village for one thing. There is opportunity for local people to become involved.”

A team from the opera gave a presentation to the council and assured them any disruption to village life will be considered at all times and kept to a minimum.

Mr Penny added: “The only thing that I think would not concern us but cause comment was possible traffic congestion on the Wormsley Road but they seem to have it sorted.

“It is a win win situation.”

Commenting on the new location, Iain Mackinnon, chairman of the board of Garsington Opera said: “We are extremely fortunate to have found such a terrific new location. It has many merits, not least being near our former home.

"We feel very excited that a new era is opening for us. Garsington Opera will remain independent and autonomous within the context of activities at Wormsley.”