Fruitbowl artist Guy Tarrant kindly proposed his South-East London home as a launch venue for the new album. With five months to go a meeting was convened at a local pub to thrash out a plan, while finishing touches continued on the album. Having planted mauve flowers timed to bloom for the party, then painting the entire house the same colour (right), Guy decided to rename his home Grape House! To top it all, a specially designed chipboard cutout of Madame Fruitbowl was installed into the Grape House porch to welcome visitors.

While fine tuning the schedule, varieties of food and drink were shipped in at no expense the night before. The following morning over 50 balloons were pumped up. Several copies of "Fruitbowl" were judicially spread over Grape House and played in a loop so the album could be heard in several locations, including the toilet! In the garden, a unique CD played the Frog & Horse pub continuely (as featured in the first track "Drink") to add atmosphere. A specially commisioned Madame Fruitcake (left) added the definitive touch!

As guests arrived, some got into the fruity mood by turning up in "Wilberforce" tee-shirts, while others really entered into the party spirit by dressing up (left)! By 5pm, the house was full and Mark delivered a speech in the back garden thanking all those who helped on the album. However the balloon launch was significantly scaled down due to the helium sticking most of them to the front room ceiling! In the end, only one was let off!!

Over 50 people turned up, the guest list including... * Wilberforce musicians Helen Smith, Nigel Marvin, Natalie Masse (designer of Wilberweb and former Bassist), and Drummer Don Jeffreys (left). * Steve Lake and his band IKE. * Mark's Mum! * Members of Anal Beard, including Paul Stapleton and Richard Penfound, from Brighton. * The Thursday Club who provided the "Frog & Horse" sounds on "Drink".

As the drinking continued, Steve Lake and IKE gave an impromtu performance in the hallway on the out-of-tune House piano, singing old songs, while a back room disco kept everyone else preoccupied. Starting around 3pm, the Fruitbowl launch began winding down around 2am the next morning. The party was such a success that most people forget what they came for! The fireworks (right), let off at dangerously close range, made sure no one would forget this launch in a hurry!! "Madame Fruitbowl" had now been sent on her way, staggering, into the big wide world!

To order a copy of "Madame Fruitbowl" click here.