Lockkeepers Cafe hosts AGE UK benefit gig (From Stroud News and Journal)

Lockkeepers Cafe hosts AGE UK benefit gig

1:00pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in What's On By SNJ Reporter

POETS and musicians are joining forces on Sunday afternoon to raise money for AGE UK Gloucestershire.

The event, which has been arranged by singer/songwriter Benita Johnson, is being held at the Lockkeeper's Cafe, Wallbridge, Stroud, from 2pm to 4pm.

“Gloucestershire has a rapidly increasing over-65s population, which stands to put pressure on local authority services and the NHS, who will also be contending with budget cuts. The role of voluntary organisations and charities like Age UK will become ever more important," said Benita.

“I hope that this benefit event will not only raise money but also raise awareness of the work Age UK Gloucestershire does. We are all feeling the pinch now but it is always the most vulnerable in society who suffer most.”

Acts performing at the event include The Peeky Blinders, a folk/bluegrass duo featuring Age UK Gloucestershire’s chief executive Christina Snell.

She said “We were delighted when Benita suggested this benefit event. Like other charities, we are experiencing an increase in demand for our services at a time when sources of funding are getting scarcer.”

Also taking part are former poet laureate of the Gloucestershire 1,000 Project, Peter Wyton, and Yaffle, poetry-music duo fronted by local performance poet Helen Gregory.