This year's event built on the Church's consistently increasing popularity since its inception in 1954, attracting over 7,000 international guests over the weekend of events to Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, including John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Isaac Hayes and Ann Archer. Realising the increased demand in capacity two months in advance of the weekend, Saint Hill events manager Tatjana Keenan contacted Arena Structures.
Mark Shelly was Arena's project manager who installed the 40m x 95m TFS into the manor grounds; incorporating a stage and two Star Orbit arches to carry the technical production equipment. The Arena team also lined the structure, linked the TFS to the castle via 140m of walkway flanked by cloakrooms, toilets, kitchens and Arena Scaffolding supplied tiered platforms for seating. The impressive set was designed and constructed by Hollywood-based set designers, Golden Era Productions.
Tatjana (Keenan) (Saint Hill Events Manager) commented: "Having found Arena Structures on the web and viewing the TFS at Wembley we decided the TFS was right for us. Arena Structures created an incredible environment for our weekend, and in a very short space of time. The scale of the structure gave us so much more flexibility with our design options to create a gargantuan set and it was so much quieter than other marquee's in the Autumn winds. We were really impressed by all Arena's personnel, their 'can do' attitude and respectfulness for our premises and supply partners."
Looking to build on the success of this year's event, plans are already underway for next year incorporating an even larger TFS.
(Lee Baldock)
