A popular West Cumbrian fundraiser music festival is set to return later this month with three days of gigs.
Feel the Blues will return to Cockermouth, Workington and Maryport from September 23 to September 25 to fundraise for Alzheimer’s Society and raise awareness of the positive impact music has on the lives of those living with dementia.
The gigs are organised by a team including Graeme McGrory, who started the fundraisers in 2015 to bring music to his partner Ann Westcott who has a rare type of dementia.
Since Feel the Blues first started, the events have raised around £5000 thanks to the support of local musicians.
Baroness Sue Hayman who opened the last festival on July 3 said: “I’m very pleased to support Feel The Blues. It’s a great day out raising money for Alzheimer’s Society, while at the same time highlighting how music helps people like Ann who are affected by dementia.”
On Friday September 23, Ash Wilson will be kicking off the festival and taking music to Dalton Court care home in Cockermouth for Ann, other residents, and staff.
On Saturday September 24, Basketcase featuring Pete Cruikshank from the Groundhogs, will headline the main event at Railway Club Workington. Ash Wilson will also be playing with friends from the Cumbrian music scene including Hoss Thompson from Thirteen Stars, Mark Coles and Tony Steel from Slagbank.
Chasin’ The Train from Dumfries and The Delta Geckos featuring Steve Smith and Buzz Elliott from Whitehaven will also play on the Saturday
On the Sunday, Ash Wilson will play at Tap Tavern in Maryport and will be joined by Hoss Thompson, Mark Coles and Tony Steel. An Alzheimer’s Society donation bucket will be available at each gig.
Wristbands are £10 and are available to buy from Billy Bowman’s music shop in Cockermouth, HMV Carlisle and Workington, Stitched Up in Maryport and Railway Club Workington.
The gigs will start at 2pm and run until 7pm with doors opening at 1.15pm. On Sunday September 25, doors will open at 5pm.
The last gig of the year, Feel The Bonfire Blues, will take place on November 6 at The Source Collective in Carlisle and the first event of 2023 will be at the Grasslot Club, Maryport featuring The Wilson Brothers on February 19.
