A CONCERT celebrating the joint 50th anniversaries of the Mini car and a world famous jazz club will raise money for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance.

The Mini and London music venue Ronnie Scott’s both reached their half-century this year, and a special jazz concert will be staged at BMW’s Mini plant in Oxford to mark the anniversaries.

The concert will be held in the Cowley factory’s T-Building on Wednesday, November 18, because that was the birthday of Sir Alec Issigonis, designer of the original Mini, who would have been 103 this year.

Ronnie Scott’s music director Pete Long said: “It’s the first time we have played in a car plant, and we’re really looking forward to it – we hardly ever play outside London.

“This just felt like a fantastic project to bring two British institutions together in this way.”

The Soho jazz club marked its 50th anniversary last month, and will be bringing its Big Band, singer Liane Carroll and the London Voices to the Oxford plant. Musicians from Oxford Philomusica’s orchestra will also take part.

Dr Jurgen Hedrich, managing director of the Cowley plant, said: “We’re delighted to be teaming up with Oxford Philomusica and Ronnie Scott’s for what I am sure will be a really memorable evening.

“It’s great that this event can bring together two anniversaries on the very day that Sir Alec Issigonis was born. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate.”

Lesley Wynne, concerts manager for Oxford Philomusica, said: “Each time we have worked with the Oxford plant, we have done something completely different.

“The last time we were here, the orchestra played along to Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times and was conducted by Carl Davis.

“This year, Ronnie Scott’s Big Band will offer a new challenge and, we hope, a fascinating and fun experience for our audience.”

Visitors to the plant will also be able to see a new exhibition which charts the Mini’s history.

The first Mini rolled off the production line on May 8, 1959, and there have been numerous anniversary celebrations at the Cowley factory.

Some of the first people to book tickets for the concert will get the chance to see modern Minis being built on a tour of the plant after the performance.

Money raised from the ticket sales will go towards the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance.

David Griffiths, Oxfordshire fundraiser for the air ambulance, said: “The helicopter based at RAF Benson turns out five times a day.

“Fifty per cent of the incidents the helicopter attends are road accidents and it plays a vital role in saving lives.”

Tickets for the event cost £25 and available from Oxford Philomusica on 0208 450 1060.