Flooding the valley with music
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
When folk fan Claire Latham went along to a flood fundraiser she never dreamed she would go home with a limited edition guitar.
The Folk for Floods fundraiser at the Trades Club was pulled together at short notice by folk singer Steve Tilston who lives in Hebden Bridge and volunteered in the clean up after the Boxing Day flood. He was joined on the bill by French chanteuse Flossie Malavialle and singer/comedian Keith Donnelly.
Clare Latham said, "I'd seen Steve had advertised a four string tenor guitar as the grand prize in the raffle on the night, and as I was working the door I put 20 pounds in as my contribution, but I didn't expect that my ticket would be pulled out.
"I now need to learn how to play it as I use an acoustic six string, but I've never played a tenor. Steve has kindly given me some pointers, so I am going away to try different styles, and see what works for me."
Like many of The Trades Club fundraisers musicians from around the country donated limited edition gifts for the raffle and Claire's guitar was the top prize.
Steve Tilston said, "An old friend of mine, Paul Brett, was a session man and now designs guitars, so he has created this whole group of travel models for the Vintage series. The latest model is a four-string tenor guitar, which are becoming popular again, so when Paul saw we were doing the flood benefit he kindly donated this great prize to the raffle.
"The whole event was a success as we raised £1400, and given we did it at short notice I was pleasantly surprised we had a full room, but thanks to everyone who came as all the money goes to help local people."