There are serious reasons why an evening of live music, dancing in the aisles and other fun is important.
The concert of Celtic Funk, folk and Americana at St Nicholas Church in Hurst on Saturday, June 17 is to raise funds to help people with learning disabilities in Wokingham borough.
Fundraising is not an easy job says Debs Morrison, head of CLASP (Caring Listening and Supporting Partnership).
She said that people with a learning disability faced many inequalities.
“They are not a group of people that is easy for others to relate to. This means fundraising becomes more challenging,” she explained.
Other causes were easier to identify with. “Everyone knows about ageing because they’re aware they’re getting older themselves. Everyone can relate to children. We really struggle to get funding and raise awareness,” she said.
The Walnuts With Bells On concert features Twyford-based band The Walnuts and the bells of St Nicholas Church.
Debs said CLASP was thrilled with their relationship with band member Matt Allwright.
“He is so supportive and invests time in our members. Sue Payne of Hurst church, the church and community in the village are very supportive too,” she said.
The evening starts opposite the church, in The Castle Inn at 6pm with landlord Matt Brown’s special pizzas on sale and a fiddler playing.
Then the audience will pick up their drinks and process, following a Scottish piper, into St Nicholas as the church bells ring.
The concert starts at 7.30pm, and the audience is welcome to dance along to it. Drinks will be available in church.
The church will host a lunch that day for CLASP members in Hurst’s community orchard. There will be Castle Inn pizzas and The Walnuts will play for those lunching. CLASP is a self-advocacy group for people with learning disabilities in Wokingham borough.
The charity is run by its members. They employ people with learning disabilities and offer voluntary opportunities. They support their members to have their say about local services, and provides advice and information.
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.
Concert tickets can be booked by visiting: https://buytickets.at/stnicholasparishchurch/857976
