Local residents treated to doorstep concerts

LOCAL residents were able to enjoy outdoor concerts from the comfort of their own doorstep last month.

Organised by Celebrating Age Wiltshire and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and Wiltshire Council’s Melksham Area Board, the ‘Doorstep Concerts’ visited 11 locations across Melksham, bringing music to residents that had been isolated due to lockdown restrictions.

Local area coordinator for Melksham, Matthew Billingham, explains, “Myself,  Phillipa Huxtable – Age Friendly Melksham, Amanda Stuart and Moira Conroy – Melksham PCN Community Connectors, worked  together to highlight individuals we knew across Melksham who would appreciate a concert. 

“Some people had not been out of their home since before lockdown and seen very few people, it  had been really challenging for  a lot of people and spreading a small amount of joy and a small act of kindness is really important.   

“Rebecca Seymour from Celebrating Age Wiltshire had organised a very talented violin duo, who played a huge range of styles from classical, proms classics, to Glen Miller, Abba, the Beatles, and Dolly Parton – so they catered for most tastes!

“They played a 15/20 minute concert outside individual houses. It was a truly magical day! 

“The duo mainly focused on one individual house, but neighbours came out to listen and passersby stopped to listen. 

“It really brought people together and created a beautiful sense of community. On one location I came back to get my car after the concert was over and the neighbours were still outside laughing and joking together, there was a real buzz and atmosphere in that small cul-de-sac of bungalows!”

The manager of Wharf Court, one of the locations for the ‘Doorsteps Concert’ tour, told organisers, “I wanted to thank you so much for the beautiful music that you provided today.  

“The feedback that I have had today has been amazing. It made such a difference to those that listened. One made sure she was back from shopping early just to hear it, she said that it made her day.  

“Others set their alarms early to make sure that they were ready in time and brought back treasured memories.  Please thank the musicians for giving up their time and sharing their talent today. It really touched the residents.”