The Music Well summer open garden has been a fixture in the Rye diary for the past 13 years. It is a chance for locals and visitors alike to sit in the beautiful surroundings of Little Orchard House in West Street, enjoy the homemade scones and cakes whilst listening to a variety of music played by members of the Music Well team and other talent invited for the special occasion. 2023 had been a total wash out with a thunderstorm making it impossible to set up the electrical PA, and sitting in the garden was not something to be relished! So, the warm sunshine was welcomed with glee this year!
Simon McGurk, Rother district councillor, was delighted that the weather was better this year as he had sat on a soggy bench last year with his partner Smart eating damp scones. On Saturday July 20 he was able to bring Hastings and Rye’s newly elected MP Helena Dollimore for one of her first official visits to Rye. She is now keen to hear more about the work of the Music Well. Helena was welcomed by Andy Stuart, the mayor of Rye, who was in attendance and doing his stint of taking money on the door.
The afternoon starting with Yair Katz leading the famous Music Well djembe drumming circle. All were encouraged to join in – the youngest member Soniia was only four. The rhythmic sounds reverberated around the garden bouncing off the wall behind the Kino. Yair’s son, Sheffa, then took to the stage to play the guitar and sing some of his own songs and covers. Dave Kent then led the Music Well adult singing group, while playing his guitar, in some of the group’s favourite songs. The audience were encouraged to join in with a suitably rowdy rendition of Drunken Sailor.
The Music Well was delighted to welcome a couple from Tunbridge Wells who were on holiday in Rye. They had stumbled upon the adult singing group in the scout centre on Tuesday. They enjoyed the session so much they extended their holiday so that they could come along to the open garden and join in the singing again. It just goes to show that everyone is welcome to all sessions of what the Music Well has to offer and there will be encouragement and welcome for any new member.
Catrina Lafferty, who, as well as being a director of the Music Well, is also a professional singer, was next up accompanied on keyboard by Louise Fletcher. Louise made a welcome return to the garden as the Music Well adult singing group had said farewell to her as its leader at the open garden in 2022.
Dave Kent then put another hat on his musical head and was joined by other members of the Music Well fun band to boogie the afternoon away with some earworm tracks! Oriana and Seana on saxophones made a wonderful sound.
Yair came back by popular demand and lead a second drumming circle. Everyone was encouraged to join in and acknowledged it as a therapeutic and fabulous way to bash your troubles away.
Oh, and £390 was raised for the Music Well. All the money raised enables us to carry on the invaluable work supplying music therapy in schools, residential homes and private clients and also doing just this, making people feel better through music. Simple.
Please visit our website themusicwell.org.uk to find out about our work.
Image Credits: Niki Stuart .
A fabulous day. I’m so proud of the Music Well team and big thanks go to Niki and Andy Stuart for their huge input.