ALZHEIMER’S Support’s first Summer Concert on Friday was a great toe-tapping success, filled with good music and lots of laughter. The sell-out event raised around £850 to help fund the charity’s vital services in Wiltshire.

Performing at Seend Community Hall, the concert brought together the charity’s 11 Music for the Mind groups from across the county to sing an uplifting selection of popular songs. “The atmosphere was electric and the groups sang really well,” said Sarah Marriott, head of community services. “So many people came along that we ran out of chairs so they had to stand at the back.”

The event was also a great opportunity for family members, who might otherwise be at work while their relative attends a Music for the Mind group, to see how they work and just how much fun they can be.

In the first part of the concert the groups performed for the audience, while the second half involved a lot of audience participation and action moves, such as throwing scarves in the air during Let’s Go Fly A Kite. Other songs performed including Country Roads, Summer Holiday and Que Sera Sera. All were suggested by group members. “They were all tunes that people would be familiar with, so no one would be worried about having to sing songs they didn’t know,” said Sarah.

The evening concluded with an impromptu group rendition of Land of Hope and Glory, requested by a performer who was celebrating his 90th birthday.

“Everyone really enjoyed the event and wanted to do it again,” said Sarah “We will definitely be putting on another concert in the future.”