CELLIST Julian Lloyd Webber will take part in a special evening with Jiaxin Lloyd Webber and Pam Chowhan at the Wesley Centre, Malton, on June 15.

He will take his 7pm audience on a magical musical journey, interlaced with insights into his life. Music by Bach, Faure, Saint Saens and Rachmaninov, alongside works by his brother Andrew and father William, will be introduced by Lloyd Webber and performed by his wife, cellist Jiaxin Lloyd Webber, and her pianist Pam Chowhan.

Rare video footage of Lloyd Webber performing with Nigel Kennedy, Katherine Jenkins, Yehudi Menhuin, Joaquin Rodrigo, Cleo Laine, Stephane Grappelli and others will be complemented by his stories and anecdotes of touring, recording sessions, concerts and television shows.

"It will be a fun evening," says Julian. "There will be a question-and-answer session where people are free to ask me anything they want – well, yes, pretty much! I hope it will be entertaining and, above all, it would be nice to see some young faces there."

Malton’s newly re-branded Wesley Centre, in Saville Street, is a Grade II-listed Methodist chapel that has dodged closure several times, particularly after its roof collapsed in 2015. A £1 million appeal is under way to transform the building into a community hub with a concert hall. Central to this planned refurbishment is the restoration of an historic pipe organ as its centrepiece.

Paul Emberley, the Wesley Centre's development leader, says: "We’re delighted to host Julian Lloyd Webber in what we hope will kick-start an exciting programme of live events: something we plan to build on once the centre refurbishment is complete. "Julian and Andrew’s father, William Lloyd Webber, was a renowned organist and composer. As well as this shared interest with the history of the building, Julian believes music brings communities together, which is the driving ambition of the Wesley Centre as a community hub."

Broadcaster Selina Scott, who lives near Malton, is supporting the appeal to create a "sustainable and multi-use venue for the community". "Malton, and its Methodist church, is dear to my heart," says appeal patron Selina.

"My grandfather, who was born in the middle of the 19th century, was a well-known Wesleyan lay preacher. So often, we’ve seen beautiful buildings like this wrecked, often completely gutted and turned into pubs or supermarkets. The ancient market town of Malton has been named as one of the best places to live in the UK. It’s an inspiration to other rural communities because it has fought to secure the qualities that give it so much of its character.”

As part of the evening, Lloyd Webber will host an impromptu mini-masterclass for two young, aspiring Ryedale cellists: testament to his passionate belief in music being a transformative power for young minds.

"Everyone has a soundtrack to their lives: music they’ve been brought up to, music they love. It’s one of the key things that brings people together," he adds. "I hope audiences will come out loving the music we’ve played and wanting to know more, rather than just admiring the performers. I hope it helps develop the audience's love of music."

Tickets are on sale at £18 to £24.04 at maltonwesleycentre.org/Event/an-evening-with-julian-lloyd-webber. Appeal donations can be made at maltonwesleycentre.org.