Page 84 - BR December 2023

December 2023 December 2023
spanning over twenty years: starting with

ragtime, moving through the red-hot jazz
and low-down blues of the twenties, and
into the sophisticated swing and crooners of To all our Regular Contributors
the thirties, taking in the 'French Coffee
House' sound of Django Reinhardt, comedy
'hokem', jump jive and Latin rhythms along Early copy deadline for the January magazine
the way. This troupe of multi-instrumentalists
have played more than 1,500 gigs together Saturday 9th December
over the last twenty years, and weave
together the musical history of their songs
along with tales of twenty years on the road
working together.
Spats Langham (Pasadena Roof Orchestra,
Temperance Seven) has been entertaining
since his teens on tenor banjo, guitar,
ukulele and vocals. He is joined by Malcolm
Sked (Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band, The Charleston Chasers) on tuba and double
bass, and Danny Blyth on clarinets, guitar, mandolin and harmonica.
From Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee to Duke Ellington, they offer a diverse range of
music and song. They are joined by 'the Cotswold Canary' Emily Campbell,
bringing her unique talents to the blues music of Bessie Smith, the jazz of Ella
Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, and the gospel music of Mahalia Jackson and Sister
Rosetta Tharpe. With a repertoire of several hundred songs, and an array of
acoustic instruments, styles, rhythms and sounds, Hot Fingers guarantee a
wonderful musical experience.

PURBECK CONNECT UKRAINE (PCU) – A

PLEA FOR HELP AND MORE FUNDS

In March 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, PCU was formed as a
voluntary organisation to help Ukrainian refugees settle in the local area, as part
of the charity Swanage Action for Refugees. There are now about 30 Ukrainian
families in the wider Purbeck area, from Lulworth to Studland, who have been
welcomed by local Host families.
In the past year, PCU’s work has included:
• Linking up Ukrainian refugees with hosts in Purbeck

• Assisting with applications for visas, benefits, school applications
• Referring guests to services, e.g. the Foodbank, Job Centre and CAB

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