60 and not out for well known and respected charity
THE local fundraisers The Society of Mice were at last able to hold their 60th annual dinner and presentation evening at the MKM stadium last week. Well known and respected in the area for their tireless charity and fundraising efforts, The Society of MICE had to postpone all but a few of the events because of the Covid epidemic but unbelievably even throughout lockdown they still managed to raise several thousands of pounds for needy causes.
MICE stands for ‘Men in Charitable Endeavour’ and the society is a charitable organisation based in Hull that was founded in 1961.
Their special Diamond Anniversary night was attended by their many supporters and the two men to hand over their collars after holding them for a year were King Mouse Dean Wildbore and Prince Mouse Colin Hughes.
The night saw the new King Mouse Phil (PJ) Jarrett and Prince Mouse Mark Kelly take office for the 2022 fundraising efforts and our picture also includes the last remaining founder member of the society, Terry Matsell.
Entertainment on the night featured the local multi instrumental outfit The Swamp Dogs who were rebranded and remorphed in 2019 from The Frogg Brothers who won The Hull Live Battle of the Bands competition title in 2017.
Sadly, their Banjo player Tony Barr passed away suddenly, which was a great shock to everyone involved and over time they have had a few other changes to the bands line-up.
Essentially, the band spend their time reworking the chart hits from the likes of The Stereophonics, Bon Jovi and The Killers reproducing them into a mix of Bluegrass & Hillbilly styles.
They are very entertaining, creating a feel-good and fun-filled atmosphere, which led to The Swamp Dogs being very much in demand for Fairs, Fates, music festivals and other events like The Tribfest music festival where they are a regular fixture on the programme of performers.
While we are on the subject of festivals, the up-coming Burton Agnes Jazz & Blues Festival is being held over three days starting Friday July 8.
The 2022 line-up will include acts performing in the Hall from 12pm, on the main outdoor stage from 6.30pm to 10pm with late night acts in the Bar Tent from 10pm to midnight.
On Friday 8, the line-up includes the likes of The Zoe Gilby Quartet and The Red Stripe Band, Saturday 9, including Myles Sanko, The Swing 42 guitar duo with Michael Nagaska and Lewis Kilvington and The Alligators.
The line-up for Sunday July 10, features The New York Brass Band, Ben Beattie, Matt Smith and Carlos Olmos and Pete Bolton.
The festival is uniquely set in one of England’s finest homes, Burton Agnes Hall who provides a weekend of music from a main stage on a manicured lawn.
There is a great range of food available, a vintage ice cream van and award winning Wold Top beers will be on tap, brewed just a few miles away.
Facilities include camping for tents, caravans and motor homes in the beautiful surroundings of the adjacent Park Field, with hot showers.
The atmosphere is relaxed and family friendly and the spacious grounds are open to all festival goers, including the walled garden, woodland, and woodland adventure playground.
A full breakdown and details of everything going on at the Burton Agnes Hall is available on www.burtonagnes.com
AMONG the other gigs of note this week include top singer Liam Alexander this afternoon at the William Gemmell on Anlaby Road, west Hull, and tomorrow night at The Ritz Country Music Club on Holderness Road, east Hull, the excellent OJ Reynolds.
On Saturday night you can catch Lisa Rogers at The St Vincent’s Social club on Queen’s Road, west Hull, and the sounds of the 1960s with guitar vocalist Sass at the Hessle Ex-serviceman’s club on Hull Road, Hessle.
On Sunday night Tony Davey is at the Telstar on Bowlalley Lane in Hull and next Tuesday night The William Gemmell MC on Anlaby Road, west Hull, features the country music artiste Gary Haynes.
AND finally, it’s plain to see that the cost of living rises are having a seriously bad effect on our everyday lives. It was all brought into focus during a chat with an old friend who is presently working hard in a successful Jersey Boy’s tribute show.
He said: “When you have a great gig, the club really looked after you then you have a very long drive home, you can’t help but sit and do the sums.
“After paying £60 fuel (prices as they are) then commission to management, without any exaggeration at all that’s over half tonight’s wage gone.
“That’s forgetting two of the four bookings this week are no-pickup and one is a cheque.
“No wonder acts are dropping like flies and giving up.
“Minimum wage up, cost of living up, fuel stupidly up, yet the entertainers working the venues country wide are expected to be paid the same and in some cases less?”
You simply can’t help but agree with him.
■If you have any news, views, acoustic nights or special events coming up email dave@sandfield.karoo.co.uk