Widford Rocks – oh yes it did!
FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER saw local musical maestros The Vicar & Friends put on a concert in Widford Village Hall to raise funds for the Friends of Widford Church. On a chill November evening you could be forgiven for not wanting to venture out, but the (almost) sell-out crowd all went home really delighted they did.
With Mark as lead vocalist, David Goodman on keyboard, Paul Goodman on drums, Mario Abrami on lead guitar and vocals, Cymbeline Gaynor rhythm guitar and vocals, Keith Newell rhythm guitar and Terry Gerrish on bass, it was an all-star line-up.
They put together a set that spanned the generations with hits From the Beatles & Bob Marley to Snow Patrol & Jason Mraz. The band had rehearsed for weeks prior to the concert and their superb level of musicianship was immediately apparent when they opened with In The Air Tonight. It is hard to select a particular highlight. Mario, who is the closest this part of the world will ever get to a rock guitar legend, serenading Wareside’s elder stateswoman Mabel was certainly one. It was also lovely to see Mark’s daughter Ellen join him on stage for a couple of numbers. But really there was no major standout – just a fabulous evening of feel-good music that everyone in the audience could enjoy. Not just that but it was obvious the band were really enjoying themselves too.
Thanks go to the team who organised the bar and food and to all those who attended and supported the work of FoWC. But, of course, the biggest thanks go to the band who gave us all such a great show and raised close to £850.
If you were not able to make this concert, the good news is that the band will be getting together for another concert in aid of Wareside Church to be held in the barn at Watersplace Farm in July 2019.
RH