A church is hosting a concert titled The Walnuts with Bells on – with an unusual mix of instruments.
Playing on June 18 at St Nicholas Church, Hurst will be the church tower bells there, many dating back to the 1600s.
Meanwhile the audience will be able to meet The Walnuts, a Twyford-based Celtic, folk and Americana band, across the road at the Castle Inn.
Once the bells finish Scottish piper Fergus Muirhead, a member of The Walnuts, will lead everyone into the church for the second half of the concert, by The Walnuts, at around 7.30pm.
Sue Payne, from the church said: “It’s the first time we have had a band performing in church. It’s an exciting way for people to visit the church and we’re supporting three very good causes.
“They’re a fabulous band. It’s good to do something a bit different.” The church will be serving wine in the church for those wanting to go straight there.
The concert is raising funds for the DEC Ukraine appeal; Launchpad, Reading’s homeless support charity and St Nicholas Church.
The Walnuts have toured in Scotland and mainland Europe. They raise money for charities by playing concerts in people’s front rooms, back gardens, kitchens, village halls, churches, islands, boats, shop fronts, service stations, lighthouses and vineyards. Most of the band are based around Wokingham borough.
Fergus, of Glasgow, said: “Churches have very wonderful acoustics for bagpipes – and other instruments.” The band goes back to 2014. Davie McGirr recalls that on their Norway tour they were shut down by the Oslo police “for being too noisy”. The church is confident the sound will be perfect at St Nicholas.
Tickets from £5 for a child to £30 for two adults and two children aged 12 and under are available on the Eventbrite website.
