Charity Gigs.

Nowadays any singing that I do tends to be for celebration or charity.

That's me at a recent 60th birthday bash for a friend.

So in October I was pleased to be asked once again to sing at an afternoon garden party not far from The Potters House.
The charity gig was to raise money for Francis House Hospice for children, which is situated in Didsbury south Manchester. We've had quite a relationship with the hospice over the years, so we know  it takes around £2 m. per year  to keep it open
Attendance in the garden is usually by invitation only, though this year I noticed that some children crept in at the back, drawn in by the music.

The afternoon is organised by lovely Gordon and his beloved Kathy, though Gordon would poo poo the thought that it was his idea and his alone.

Gordon

And Kathy,

always making sure that everyone is happy.

The master of ceremonies keeping everything running along  smoothly.

I love the fact that the ages of the partakers range from children under ten to oldies. I'm probably one of the oldies!
Also the range of musical types is as broad and wide as could be. And I like that as well.

Singing a Peggy Lee number..."Why don't you do right!"

backed by keyboard player extaordinaire Tim Firth.

I've always tended to sing with a jazz influence. But there were classical instumental and vocal performances, and teenagers with rock and pop music.

Keyboard, violin, flute, guitars and drum all had a place in the programme. Singers of classical, folk, pop, rock and jazz lined up to do their bit!

At the half way stage, we had cake and drinks  and amazingly for October, the weather was fine and we were able to stay out of doors for the whole afternoon.

In the middle of the garden a red watering can sat on top of a bird bath and into that container people were encouraged to drop their money or rather to push in the notes!

I think that the thing about these lovely charity dos is that all involved are volunteers. Nobody gets paid and every one has a great time because in some ways the pressure is off. Yet every one comes up trumps for the charity. I wonder where that leaves David Cameron's new political mantra that he has referring to the BIG society. Isn't it just happening quietly all over the place?