A KIDDERMINSTER orchestra which was hit with the loss of funding is celebrating after gaining sponsorship from a major jewellers.

T H Bakers have thrown their support behind The Kidderminster Festival Orchestra (TKFO) with vital backing to help it press on with its comeback plans.

After originally establishing in 2015 and setting up as a charitable company the following year, TKFO was hit with a setback when the Arts Council of Great Britain said it would not be able to provide funding for the project.

But orchestra chiefs have been busy recruiting new members and planning their return with an inaugural concert at Kidderminster Town Hall on Saturday, November 4.

Artistic director and principal conductor Annette Jackson, who founded TKFO, said: “The setback has been a blessing in disguise for us as we are now developing partnerships and more established connections with local companies such as T H Baker Jewellers, who have recently announced they’ve become one of TKFO’s corporate partners, providing sponsorship.

“It has meant that the plans for our concert performance later this year at Kidderminster Town Hall are well under way and secured funding is heading in the right direction to help support the event.”

She added: “Initiatives such as TKFO are always close to T H Baker’s heart due to its longstanding relationship with the town and people – Kidderminster being the home to the fifth generation of the company’s family and home to one of its most prominent stores, on Weavers Wharf.

All tickets holders for the November 4 concert will be entered into a prize draw with the winner receiving a diamond pendant worth £600, donated by T H Baker.

Tickets for the show are available at the Town Hall and online at www.kidderminstertownhall.org.uk