AN afternoon of live music brought singing, tapping and jigging to a Trowbridge care home.

From Bach to the Beatles, professional musicians Julie Payne and Nicola Woodward took their audience, living with dementia at Barchester Wingfield Care Home, on a musical journey and trip down memory lane.

The visit was part of Wiltshire Rural Music’s Keep Music in Mind project.

It supports music-making across rural Wiltshire, enabling local communities and individuals to realise their musical ambitions.

Creative director Gavin Osborn said: “It was such a joy to see so many residents remembering the words and singing along to I Want to Hold Your Hand, and the smiles and enjoyment as they all played their percussion instruments along to Irish folk music.”

“Music is really emotional and powerful in keeping memories alive, and as a charity we feel really passionate about giving everyone an opportunity to experience and enjoy live music.”

The Trowbridge-based music charity takes professional musicians and music-making opportunities to isolated communities and parts of the county, as well as funding lessons and instrument hire for children who are unable to afford to buy their own.

The Barchester Wingfield event was the first in a series of concerts at care homes across Wiltshire in 2020.

On Wednesday, Wiltshire Rural Music will collaborate with Tisbury Memory Group and Music for Wellbeing, taking Claire King and David Knowles to perform a concert of clarinet and piano classics at the Nadder Centre in Tisbury.

The next stop on the Keep Music in Mind tour takes them to Wiltshire Heights in Bradford on Avon on March 9.

To follow or support the project, visit facebook.com/wiltsruralmusic or see a performance at one of Wiltshire Rural Music's upcoming events in their Gloucester Road hub.