Audience enjoying a concert in Tattershall in June 2010 © James Laws

The rural district of East Lindsey is located in the county of Lincolnshire. The second largest district in England, East Lindsey encompasses large rural areas and the popular coastal areas of Mablethorpe and Skegness.

An Orchestral Residency was initiated in 2001 by East Lindsey District Council and Orchestras Live in response to an identified need to support access to classical music both for existing (but isolated) and new audiences. The success of the initial three-year residency led to widespread desire from both the District Council and residents to see the project continue into a second and third phase of a further three years from 2005 - 2007 and 2008 - 2010. The orchestra consolidated its work in the area as well as focusing on the deprived coastal strip of the district, visiting Sure Start centres, the Marisco Medical Centre and local community venues to bring live music to as many people as possible in unexpected places.

At present, this residency is unable to continue due to lack of funding, but the LMP would like to thank all its many supporters in the district for a wonderful nine years of music-making. Visits to the area supported by local promoters still happen on an occasional basis, and we hope that in the future concert tours, workshops in schools and visits to care homes will again be possible.