Lesley Garrett warms-up her vocal cords onboard Red Funnel ferry on route to perform at Wight Proms

Opera singer, Lesley Garrett gave one Red Funnel Captain an unforgettable journey when she gave an impromptu performance on the Bridge of Red Eagle on Saturday 31st August. 

Shortly after departing Southampton on route for East Cowes, Lesley made her way up to the Bridge to meet Captain Barbara Charlton and surprised her with a special rendition of the aptly suited ‘Sailing’ by Rod Stewart.

Lesley, a renowned soprano singer known for her West End roles in the likes of the Sound of Music and Carousel, was on her way to the Isle of Wight to perform at this year’s Wight Proms, which is supported by Red Funnel, during its ‘Last Wight of the Proms’ event.

Commenting on the impromptu performance, Red Funnel Captain Barbara Charlton, said: “It was wonderful to welcome Lesley up to the Bridge. I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet her, and when she started to sing to me as I steered the ferry through the Solent, it was fantastic! It’s certainly a moment that I won’t forget.”

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For further information regarding Red Funnel, please contact:

Lisa Norman or Kirsti Pawlowski at McKenna Townsend

T: 01425 472330

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About Red Funnel

Red Funnel is the original Isle of Wight ferry company with roots tracing back to 1820. Based in the UK port of Southampton, Red Funnel carries 2.3m passengers and over 800,000 vehicles on its ferry route between the UK port of Southampton and East Cowes and 1.1m passengers between Southampton and West Cowes on its Red Jet Hi-Speed service.  In addition to ferry travel, Red Funnel is the only cross-Solent operator to offer ferry inclusive bonded holiday accommodation, attraction tickets, festival and event tickets and activity packages. Sub-brands include ‘Red Jet’ (the Hi-Speed passenger only ferry service serving West Cowes) and two food & beverage brands, ‘Steam Coffee Company’ and ‘ReFuel’.  The Company is a founder member of Visit Isle of Wight Ltd, the Island’s not for profit destination management organisation and Red Funnel sponsors or supports most of the Island’s premier events including the IW Festival, Cowes Week, Isle of Arts, The Red Funnel IW Literary Festival, IW Newport Jazz Festival, Isle Walk Festival, Ventnor Fringe Festival and Wolverton Manor Garden Show as well as a range of community and niche interest events. Red Funnel’s 2019 Charity of the Year is Mountbatten Hospice, Isle of Wight.

For more information visit: www.redfunnel.co.uk