Who and What is Montserrat Events
Background History
It all began with an ambitious plan to run a celebration for the 75th anniversary of VE Day and subsequently VJ day in 2020 and was called LEE VE75. Following the cancellation in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic it was decided to run the event in 2021 and rebrand the event as The Lee Victory Festival. The organisers were also approached to
run the Lee Music Festival which had been operating for several years at a local bar/restaurant in the summer. This was incorporated into their plans to run musical concerts during the Summer under the name Summer Sounds. As the organising team were now planning to run these separate events at different times of the year it was decided to formalise the organisation under an umbrella company and hence Montserrat Events was formed. A group of volunteers was recruited for the LEE VE75 Event and worked on the Victory Festival which was financed by sponsorship from individuals, local organisations, and local businesses. Who are the Directors
Jonathan Moore - Founder/ MD has been a resident of Lee on the Solent since 2009. He has been the driving force behind all of the events seen in Lee and has been instrumental in bringing the team of lead volunteers together. Alan Parry - Operations, is passionate about Lee on the Solent and doing things for the community. Alan has been heavily involved from beginning working closely with Jonathan,
Vaughan Bidewell - Finance, has lived in Lee for many years and enjoys being part of a busy team looking after the financial side of all the events & projects. All three Directors are eager to promote Lee as a vibrant place to live and for businesses to thrive and be successful. As the events have evolved it became apparent that the structure of the business needed to be amended; so that's why in March 22 Alan & Vaughan joined as Directors together with the business changing to a CIC (Community Interest Company) in August 2022 which is overseen by the Regulator of Community Interest Companies. Delivered
Montserrat Events has planned and delivered the following events here in Lee on the Solent. This includes the complete process of complying with Gosport Council’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) requirements with event plans and policies. Key to the success of the events has been the raising of sponsorship, creating a brand and its awareness, sourcing stalls and vendors, supply partners and entertainment for both adults and children.
2021
Summer in Lee - Summer High Street - Summer Sounds Music Festival - Summer Funfair
Lee Victory Festival
Remembrance Sunday (2021)
Christmas in Lee. All of the above were delivered during 2021, with great success even during the difficult period of Covid19 we’ve experienced.
2022
Lee Beacon22 for the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations on the 2nd June
Summer in Lee –- Summer Sounds Music Festival & Summer Market – (20-21) - Summer Funfair - (12-21 August)
Lee Victory Festival is planned to be organised again for 2023 and 2025 and then hopefully every 2 years from there. Bringing the community together
Montserrat Events has recruited a team of approximately 40 volunteers who support and help with the activities and events and are we have named them the ‘Making People Smile’ team.
Montserrat Events has supported the following community groups and charities with the following donations being made:
Lee Hub £1,093.00
Gosportarians £500.00
National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) £500.00
Children with Cancer UK, legacy from the Lee Music Festival £1,093.00 in 2021 and for the 2022 event, each charity will be receiving £1,200.00. Hampshire Autism £150.00
The future...
More amazing events will be organised and delivered. Montserrat Events also wants to create community funds for projects which would see assets being provided for the community such as a new Bandstand and an ambitious idea of trying to rebuild the pier or a 'stubby one' that once stood here in Lee. There are lots of other ideas which are brought to the table, and these are discussed with the relevant parties to assess viability. Development of the “Smile Stage”. Here investment has been made into a 7.5t curtain insider lorry to be converted into a mobile entertainment space, which is to be branded as ‘The Smile Stage’ The stage had its first outing in its basic form for the Summer Sounds Charity Music Festival, which was a huge success and we now look forward to many events where the stage can be used. The stage will be available for hire at preferential rates for local charity groups.
