The talented Blue Apple Singers added musical magic to Rawlings Opticians' 100th Anniversary celebration on Friday! They serenaded with a delightful medley of cherished tunes. Rawlings' are very kindly donating raffle proceeds and matching that amount with their own donation on top! Thank you to Rawlings and to everyone who bought a raffle ticket. We loved being part of your very special birthday party!

Local Winchester businesses kindly donated raffle prizes for a draw that raised an amazing £960 for Blue Apple Theatre which Rawlings are going to match and round-up with a total of £2,000 to be donated.

Rawlings Opticians and Hearing Care first opened its Winchester shop in 1923 having already been established as a family firm in Croydon by Alfred John Rawling on 18th September 1895. Four of Alfred’s grandchildren followed in the family footsteps qualifying as Optometrists and continuing to run the business and in more recent times, branches have been opened in Alton (1961), Chandlers Ford, Hedge End and Alresford in Hampshire. Currently there are nine in all. Of the fourth generation, Richard Rawling is now Managing Director of the company and services were extended in 2022 to include hearing care.

Among their customers are a number of Blue Apple participants who have talked so enthusiastically about Blue Apple that Rawlings felt moved to make Blue Apple a beneficiary of their birthday celebrations with a raffle and a special bear naming draw.

The Blue Apple Singers meet weekly to rehearse at the Chapel at the University of Winchester under the direction of Nick Duncombe from Hampshire Music Hub and with the support of two dedicated volunteers.

Here is a short video clip of the Blue Apple Singers at the event.