AN EVENT was held to fundraise for the British Red Cross and Hexham Youth Initiative's Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Organised by Hexham Rotary Club, a concert was held at Hexham Abbey on Friday, May 27 to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Brian Massey, a Rotary Club member, said: "The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations got off to a fantastic start with a sell out concert in Hexham Abbey to suit all varied musical tastes."

Brian is the former president of the Rotary Club and originally proposed the concert and ran it with help from other club members.

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He said he felt Hexham needed an event which involved a lot of people from all areas of the community, and said the music attracted people of all ages.

Brian said: "The event proved to be outstanding and a memorable evening and an opportunity for more than 100 musicians to take part in the concert."

"The event highlighted many talented musicians from the area. Taking part were Andrew Davison on the Northumbrian Pipes, Michael Haynes on the Organ, St Joseph's School Choir, Hedgehog's Skin Ceilidh Band, A Fijian Choir, the Rock Choir, folk singer Abbey Tilley, Rebecca Howell on the violin and Hexham Brass. 

"Between these outstanding individual musical performances, the audience were reminded of life during the different decades of her Majesty's reign by seven narrators.

"Following the concert, everyone was invited to round off the evening for a celebratory drink on the cloister lawn to the accompaniment of the Sunshine Panners steel band."

Brian said the event was enjoyed by both participants and audience, and will have raised approximately £4,000 for two charities.

"It will be divided equally between the British Red Cross, of which the Queen is patron, and the Hexham Youth Initiative's Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme," he added.

"It was a most appropriate way of celebrating the Queen's Jubilee. Everyone was able to contribute by raising money for two charities, and it was a very memorable occasion."