Band aids charities (From Stroud News and Journal)

Band aids charities

A CHARITY concert held in Stroud on Saturday, November 16 has brought in nearly £700.

The money raised will go to the Sue Ryder Home in Leckhampton and to the Gloucestershire Aids Trust.

The well-attended event was expertly compared by poet Dennis Gould and featured music, poetry and dance from a number of Stroud's top acts.

Eddie Mercury caused a stir with his handlebar moustache and suspenders and red-faced parents may have had trouble explaining to curious offspring just what that was sticking out of his bicycle saddle.

Talented Stroud composer Crimea Butler Downton gave his moving music an uncommon public airing and the crowd was treated to an amazing example of didgeridoo-manship by band Kata Tjuga.

The Stroud Community Choir, clog dancers Roughshod and Out to Lunch were all on form and Souled and Healed's highly personal song about David Russell will have touched all but the hardest of hearts.

Tables and chairs were moved aside to clear a dance floor in preparation for headliners Ska Daddy and the lively band failed to disappoint, having the audience baying for more at home time.

Danny McCue, who set up the town's first Aids benefit concert with his wife Katie six years ago, said the evening had been a big success.

"It was an excellent night," he said. "It went really brilliantly."

For more Stroud arts news, see this week's SNJ.