The Dementia Friendly Gillingham Autumn Spectacular Concert was considered to be “the best one yet”.

A packed St Mary’s Church enjoyed listening to some of the most beautiful music played by the 30-piece Top Brass and Wind Concert Band, led by Jackie Adams, with vocalist Arabella Heaton, on Saturday 22 October.

Jackie put together a wonderful variety of music, with tunes such as Carrick Fergus (in which Dian Bartlett played solo on the flugelhorn), Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen, Born Free by John Barry and Lord of The Dance.

Arabella, accompanied by the band, wowed the audience with song including I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton, and I Know Him So Well by Tim Rice. She brought the concert to a close with One Moment in Time. One audience member summed up the evening perfectly: “Wow! There can’t be a single dry eye in the church after that!”

Thanks were given by Cllr Barry Von Clemens, Chair of Dementia Friendly Gillingham, and bouquets donated by Sandy of Mayflowers were presented.
Wine and nibbles, kindly donated by Waitrose, was served during the interval, and a fabulous selection of raffle prizes were drawn by Cllr Val Pothecary Chairman of Dorset Council. Dementia Friendly Gillingham would like to sincerely thank all the local businesses that donated prizes.

The charity would also like to thank everyone who came and gave so generously. A total of £1,388.52 was raised, with donations given to St Mary’s Church, the Top Brass and Wind Concert Band and Weldmar Hospicecare.
These events depend upon the help of volunteers, and Dementia Friendly Gillingham would like to thank all those that helped. It also appreciates the support given by Hall & Woodhouse, and Asda.
It was lovely to have the family of Dot Hannam at this concert, and it was their wish for Trevor Hannam to present a cheque to Dementia Friendly Gillingham, for the total amount of donations received at Dot’s funeral.