23 July

Brass band music once again filled the Forest at the Scarr Bandstand, Sling, on Saturday afternoon.  Nearly 200 people enjoyed wonderful music from Ross Town Band with guest conductor Ian Whitburn,  and Forest of Dean Brass Band with their conductor Thomas Dunne.  And the rain held off – just!

The event, HOSPITAL SATURDAY, was a celebration and ’thank you’ to local medical staff. The £400 collected from the generous audience will be given to Friends of Dilke and Lydney Hospitals.

Local medical staff in the audience were given VIP treatment – free tea and cake, free entry into a special prize draw with cases of wine and other great prizes, and a well-deserved round of applause during the afternoon. Two junior doctors from Manchester found the event by chance. They said “it is so great to have a concert like this; we are really touched that our work is being recognised.”

The concert, organised by Friends of Scarr Bandstand and sponsored by Royal Forest of Dean Rotary Club follows the tradition of  “Hospital Sunday” events at the Scarr site, dating back to before the NHS existed.  Local brass bands would march to the site, and money would be raised to support local hospitals and other good causes.

The summer season at the Scarr Bandstand continues with two great professional theatre companies on 13th and 21st August, and then a free afternoon concert of blues, drums and jazz on 27th August.  The season ends with a free local male voice choir concert on 3rd September