Director Melanie Cossins was thrilled to be accepted as a creative contributor to the Leeds Festival of the Moon. Personally finding creativity a powerful tool, she was given funding to deliver rock painting sessions for the public. There were no limits to the creativity from the public, as rocks were painted with everything from aliens …
On Monday, 3 June 2019, we were thrilled to welcome the Mayor of Bolton, Hilary Fairclough, and her musical husband, Donald (of the Phoenix Knights of Harmony barbershop choir) to our instrument presentation at The Bakewells. After securing generous funding from the Duchy of Lancaster, we were privileged to make an occasion of the event, …
One of our very first venues was Eldon Extra Care. At the encouragement of a very committed and caring manager, we presented a few songs towards getting them to fund us as a regular activity. “We have a cd player, and it’s cheaper.” What could we say to that. A few weeks later, we won …
We had four weeks of funding to spend at Maxton House, and spent 3 fantastic afternoons rehearsing a summery repertoire in time for their summer fair. Weren’t we surprised to be greeted with a lei (flower necklace), pointed to the punch bowl (“alcohol in the bowl on the middle shelf!”), and invited to celebrate with …
One of the settings that we have been privileged to visit is Merton House. We usually stand in between the lounge/dining area because some residents feel it is easier to sit at their dinner tables than move over to the smaller lounge. As an independent-living setting, people can be any age, with a variety of …
March 2018 saw the launch of Director Mel’s first Sing it Out! Mama CD! Our intention has always been to equip people with the resources to live their best lives, and this CD does exactly that. Our Sing it Out! Mama sessions have provided so much support and benefit to the mums that have attended. …
September 2019 was a busy month for Director Frances Turnbull! Asked to write about music for a parenting magazine called Parenta, she developed a series of articles that ran to the end of the year. So many times, we are told that the people we sing with are not musical and cannot sing. And every …
One very special care home has welcomed us into their dementia unit. We only spend 15 minutes or so with the smaller group of residents, and have found so many special ways that we can share this moment, right now. This professional singer, favourite singer is Frank Sinatra, has shared the stage with many famous …
One particularly special venue, funded by yet another Pasty and Peas event, got us invited to Bolton Carers, a day centre where carers were able to bring their loved ones for a bit of a change of scenery. People with a variety of conditions and abilities were able to sit and rest, or participate in …
Another Pasty and Peas event, but this time, the interested group had to apply for funding. We were chosen by this independent community group, the Golden Oldies, to provide 8 weeks of singing. Shortly after we were taken on, we were contacted by Lizzy, who started out volunteer program. Coming from a musical background, having …
