Guest Book

 Report on Charity Event in Aid of

Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance

 Sept 08

 What are the chances of staging a Charity Weekend on the wettest weekend in the year two years in succession? Quite low I would have thought. But we managed to do just that. As I woke up at 4 o'clock in the morning to see the rain lashing down the road, and what seemed like a river coursing down the gutter my heart sank.

 But we held the weekend anyway, even though the bouncy castle man proclaimed – with justification – that the weather was too wet and the ice cream man came and went, (although the burger bar stayed) I was particularly impressed by quite a few things. Firstly, the amount of work that had gone into preparing the club room, with the teddy tombola, the fancy goods stall, the jewellery stall the lucky dip, and the wonderful range of presents for the raffle and the auction. And of course there were the impressive cups for the bike and car competitions. It was just a pity that everything had to be crammed together because of the rain.

 Then there was the wonderful patience and enthusiasm of the singers and the bands. None of them complained about the paucity of the audiences, but from their performances they could well have been singing to full rooms. They were all utterly brilliant.

 I had been relegated to help in the club room, but I managed to gallop in from time to time to take photos, and made notes of all the artists, songs etc – while buying raffle tickets and naming, unsuccessfully, a couple of soft toys.

 Each day started off in the function room with Mandy's splendid breakfasts, and then it was time for the artists to begin. First on Saturday was Ivor James, Country singer and possessor of a wonderful dark brown voice. Then we were wowed by the young, talented Clarissa, (13 years old I believe) for whom those present were predicting a great future. Her 'Don't Cry For me, Argentina' was particularly impressive, and very like Elaine Paige when heard in the Club room.

 She was followed by a Country singer new to us, Cactus Jack. He sang a good mix of familiar songs which we all enjoyed, including 'Much Too Young (To Be This Darned Old)' and 'From a Jack To A King.' By this time there was some line dancing going on.

 Then it was time for a complete change of tempo as Cold Flame took to the stage with a mixture of Rock and Blues. There were some amazing sounds made by electric guitars and drums, punctuated by the voice of the singer. The set ended with three Jimi Hendrix numbers. Very energising! The singer was particularly impressed by a couple of the audience who line danced to one of his numbers.

 Then it was back to Country music with the impressively tall Dave West Junior and some more songs familiar to the 'Cowboy Club,' for example The Mavericks' 'Children (Who Never Forget)' and Garth Brooks' 'Ain't Goin' Down ('Til The Sun Comes Up.)'

 Then we had another change of mood when the suave and sartorially elegant Dave Reece took to the stage to sing some very popular songs. Particularly evocative to me were 'What do you Make Those Eyes At Me For?' and Bobby Vee's 'The Night Has A Thousand Eyes.'

 Then it was back to Ivor James singing some of his really popular Country songs, including Roy Orbison's 'Penny Arcade' and his own 'The South will Rise Again' as well as 'You Keep me (Hanging On)' which was new to me.

 This was followed by an engaging young group, 'Deep Heat' whose repertoire included some very enjoyable numbers like 'I Only want To Be With You' and 'House Of The Rising Sun.' This group also had a pretty good sound.

 The rest of the evening was taken up with more performances by Cactus Jack, Dave Reece and Dave West. The latter concluded the evening in fine style by amusing everyone, as he shot those who didn't join in the singing suitably with a water pistol, particularly the young men at the bar.

 Sunday dawned, with another day of mixed weather. But never mind, Arizona Wes was the first artist of the day and the sun always shines when he is singing. As his name suggests he is a Country singer, and he had a really interesting programme which included some songs new to me like 'Wonderful Tonight' and Toby Keith's 'Stays In Mexico.'

 We were then entertained by the feisty Carolann B who sat on the stage and sang and chatted. Songs I particularly liked were Tom Russell's 'Blue Wing' and Lorrie Morgan's 'Do You Still Want To Buy Me That Drink?'

 Then we went outside because there was a trailer on the car park for the next two groups, Sheila Faye and Friends and Lynk. Sheila Faye and Friends consisted of Sheila Faye (folk and country singer) with guitar, Jim, lead guitar, Graham bass guitar and a pedal steel guitar player. The sound was brilliant. I was intrigued by 'All fall Down,' 'The Storms Of Life Are Washing Me away.' (which fortunately they weren't just then) and Tom T. Hall's 'Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer.'

 Lynk were a talented young (two of them were just about to go to university) Rock Group, again three males and one female, but this time one being a drummer who tapped the time of the coming number on his drumsticks. They reminded me of much younger days and I enjoyed revisiting songs like The Kinks 'All Of The Time,' and 'Addicted To Love.'

 Later they played another set during which they played a remarkable number, I think it was 'Born to be Wild,' which included a long drum solo which gave the rest of the band time to leave the stage and buy a drink at the burger bar! It ended with a guitar solo which had the rest of the band trying to put him off. Very entertaining!

 Between these two sets we went indoors to hear Tideswell Brass Band who were filling half of the function room. They looked very fine with their smart uniforms and gleaming instruments, and they gave us some stirring renditions of tunes like, 'Bridge Over Troubled Waters,' 'Hey Jude,' and 'All That Jazz.'

 The evening ended with more sets by Arizona Wes, Sheila Faye (singing Irish folk music and accompanied by one friend) and Carolann B. Sheila this time accompanied herself not only on the guitar but also the penny whistle, and she did an absolutely fabulous 'Danny Boy.'

 Each evening Preacher (DJ) conducted the raffle and the auction. (All the prizes were donated, including many who had been collected assiduously by members of the Sterndale Moor Social Club and some very generous ones from local businesses.) There was also the separate raffle of a grocery basket.

 Each afternoon there was a presentation by Sterndale Moor's very own Queen Kirsty who presented cups for the Best Trike and the Best Bike on the Saturday, and the best Car on the Sunday.

 The Sunday evening ended with Carolann B. inviting Arizona Wes(dressed as a Mexican) on stage for 'She Drinks Tequila' and 'Ghost Riders In The Sky.'

 It would have nicer if there had been a many more people in attendance on this weekend, as a lot of people had put a lot of time and thought into the occasion. However, all those there enjoyed themselves and the result was about £3,000 for the Derbyshire, Rutland and Leicestershire Air Ambulance, when all the money included that collected during the year was taken into consideration. A big thank you goes to all the organisers, and to all the generous artists who gave of their time free. Also to all the local benefactors who made various donations, financial or prizes.

 Let's hope that next time we pick a drier weekend!

Mrs Rusty

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