Arts, Theatre & Music

Saxophonist Plays for the NHS

Local lady uniquely shows her gratitude to the NHS and other service/care providers.

Published

3 years ago

May 22, 2020

You might have heard the gorgeous melodies of this local lady who plays the saxophone every Thursday evening in support of the NHS and other care and service providers. She’s a true gem and we managed to catch up with her to find out why she started and what inspired her. Here she is… the wonderful Sandra!

I have been playing sax for about 20 years and am self taught. When talking about where my inspiration comes from, I’ve got to say the sound and feelings the saxophone produces… and it looks beautiful too!

I just wish I could sing but I found that I can sing through the sax!

Music transcends the physical and is spiritual. It’s a versatile way of connecting with people and expressing emotions and feelings that some find difficult to say. I am blessed with a positive mental attitude. When we were asked to stay home to save lives I knew the only way that I could help lift spirits was to play instead of clapping. And so it began!

My first tune was on the 2nd April “Angels” inspired by sadness people were experiencing.

On 9th April I played “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as Captain Tom had started his mission.

“A Thousand Years” – my friends parents both have cancer and she was beside herself as she couldn’t see them. I played this tune at her partners funeral a couple of years ago, so I dedicated this to people in her position.

On the 16th April I played “When A Child Is Born” dedicated to the nurse who had a baby then sadly passed leaving her newborn in the loving arms of a grieving family, that deeply moved me.

On 23rd April I played “Feel My Love” and “What A Wonderful World” sending a hug and love to all my lovely neighbours who came out to join the clapping session and to remind us all how wonderful the earth and people are.

On the 30th April I played “Space Oddity” to celebrate the 100 Year Old Birthday of a remarkable man. “One Step Beyond” was performed as Captain Tom Moore had done just that and so too had all key workers care workers and ALL workers, vets animal rescue… EVERYONE.

On the 7th May I performed “Perfect Day” and “Love Letters” to send love to family and friends.

“Strange Little Girl” – I played this in honour of Dave Greenfield of The Stranglers who was taken by Covid-19. I have loved this band since I was a teenager and been to quite a few gigs, this was my tribute to him and ALL Covid-19 victims and their families.

On the 14th May I played “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” as it was requested by two people: one a beautiful lady over the other side of the estate opened her front door to tell me she had been indoors for 8 weeks and she looked forward to my musical posts on Felixstowe Residents Facebook Group. which moved me very much.

I played “Kiss From A Rose” which was another dedication to my beautiful neighbour who was still working hard and does a little shopping for others, this is her favourite tune. So it goes out to ALL the hard working people who do a little to help their neighbours with THANKS & GRATITUDE.

On the 21st May I played “Fields Of Gold” which was another request. I had to learn this over the week before… the lyrics are beautiful. I also played “Don’t Give Up” to encourage us all to stay in stay safe and save lives.

We are ALL doing GREAT. I’d like to thanks my daughter and others videoing and posting positive vibrations on social media we can all feel loved, healed and cared for in many different ways. I believe that there is a purpose for everything and everything has a purpose. I have a personal mantra that I share with all who wish to use it. I do this every night and every morning: I put my hand on my heart and say, ” I LOVE MY HEART WITH ALL MY HEART” take a deep breath in and smile. “I am filled with gratitude”.

Best Wishes
San x

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Arts, Theatre & Music

Titanium Cover by Felixstowe Pianist, Tom Metcalf

Published

3 years ago

July 10, 2020

The Felixstowe Magazine

Tom is an extraordinary pianist who performs at The Orwell Hotel on Friday and Saturday evening, and Sunday lunchtime. He is also available for all types of functions like weddings, birthdays etc.

You can contact Tom through email at: tmetcalfmusic@gmail.com.

For now, enjoy this gorgeous cover of “Titanium” by David Guette and Sia….

Arts, Theatre & Music

Trimley Artist Shares Her Passion for Creativity

Published

3 years ago

July 5, 2020

The Felixstowe Magazine

Angela Ashford is an incredibly talented artist based in Trimley. She has shown a great passion for helping others – here she is to tell us about the charities she’s worked with and what inspires her work…

Even though I have lived in various places around the world, I was born and brought up in Suffolk. So after all the traveling settled once again in the county I call home, and consider myself a Suffolk girl at heart.

I am mainly a self-taught artist as I never had the luxury of going to university to study art, due to being profoundly dyslexic. This I did not find out until later in life as it was not recognised in the 1960s & 70s as it is today. I am now retired from the NHS where I had worked for the last 10 years and live in Trimley St Mary. It is here and now that I can concentrate fully on art.

I have a heart for sharing my knowledge with others, I am not talking about teaching… I will leave that to those who are professionally trained. But to come along side people and small groups to encourage them to express themselves creatively in art and crafts of various sorts.

Last year I started working with “Insideout,” an Ipswich based charity as one of their artists.

“The charity believes in the power of the creative process to strengthen the spirit.”

It works with people of all ages who live with mental health issues in their lives. Insideout not only offers art and crafts but singing and creative writing as well, different ways in which people are encouraged to express themselves in.

Another small charity I’ve started working with doing much the same as with Insideout and that is “Beam” in Ipswich…. Beam supports mothers whose children have bean adopted and put into care or live elsewhere. It gives them a place they can meet up share and with one another, where there is no judgement, just loving support.

Last autunm my local primary school in Trimley St Mary. They were requiring the help of someone who could help design a large mural for the reception class outside play area, I decided to volunteer. I designed the mural, and together with parents and children, we painted what resembled a giant paint by numbers with all ages joining in to paint the mural. It was such a fun day.

And lastly, I was so delighted last year to be sponsored by Fred Olson to paint an Elmer for the “Elmer’s Big Parade Ipswich,” He was called “Elmer’s Travel Trunk,” and raised £4,400 towards the St Elizabeth Hospice, which is dear to my heart.

In my own work, I normally work in various genres from Portraiture and Prophetic art, (paintings based on biblical truths,) to more recently collages with sea glass and drift wood, as I love beach-combing and try to find ways to show the beauty in what I find on the beach.

My website is www.theashfordstudio.co.uk and I have recently set up a shop on Etsy called LoveBeachCombing, Please visit these sites to see more of my work.