100 turn out for grand jam at Newbury bandstand
On Saturday afternoon, around 100 turned out to Victoria Park Bandstand to listen to The Rectory Close Jammers, joining in the singing and clapping along to the music from artists such as Dire Straits, Hazel O’Conner, Tom Jones, Electric Light Orchestra and Gerry Rafferty, says Paul Worsley of organiser Sound Newbury.
A group of neighbours who got together during the lockdown in May 2020 to entertain the residents of Rectory Close in Newbury for VE Day celebrations. Andy Sparkes and Rosie Jordan discovered that they were living very close to several incredibly talented musicians and organised several outdoor street music events over the past two years to entertain their neighbours and their families.
Gary Rawlins, Lizzie Lock, Andy and Rosie kept the band going and played the weekend bandstand gig at Victoria Park with local professional musician Den Greensmith alongside.
Lizzie Lock is well known across West Berkshire and beyond for her incredible talent and enthusiasm for music, running Boogie Mites fun, music sessions for young children and with her band, Group Sax on her saxophone. Gary Rawlins is well known locally at the open mic sessions on his guitar and incredible collection of harmonicas/harps and also across the Isle of Wight playing with the island band The Hillmans.
Back to brass and East Woodhay Silver Band took centre stage on Sunday afternoon and they will be followed by:
- Sunday, August 14 – South Berks Concert Band
- Sunday, August 21 – Phoenix Brass
- Sunday, September 4 – Cold Ash Brass
- Sunday, September 11 – Cholsey Silver Band
- Sunday, September 18 – Wroughton Silver Band
- Sunday, September 25 – Pangbourne Band
Take a picnic, rug and chairs, sit back and enjoy, 3pm-5pm.
