After a few awkward moments, suddenly songs were coming from every corner of the room – clearly the project of a man who fell from a roof was striking a chord.
Chris Dark, 41, started the Spalding All Included Music Project (AIMP) as he still wanted to play music with others after being left disabled following the fall from his Weston home.
He was astonished by the response. Now every other Sunday between 2pm and 4pm at Spalding’s Tonic Health people can come together to play or enjoy music.
“There’s no pressure to do anything,” Chris is keen to point out at the first music playing session.. “It’s just for people to come together.”
For those that want to, there is something to work towards though.
Chris has arranged for the AIMP to have a float at next year’s Spalding Flower Parade while there’s a vacant stage at the Moulton Working Weekend in mid-September they’ve been invited to fill.
It’s amazing how quickly people come together, be it playing their own music or choosing songs from the songbooks and singing along.
They include Daniel Price from Pinchbeck whose mobility is also restricted after falling 60 foot from scaffolding, breaking his back in five places.
He and Chris bonded after speaking about their similar injuries and adapting to their new lifestyles.
“I sort of became a recluse,” Daniel said. “This kind of thing gives me a new life.”
It’s not all about people with disabilities though. Darren Tate, of Market Deeping, has brought his impressive home made electric guitar as well as peddle board.
James Patrick, of Whaplode St Catherine, is part of a South Holland band Serekunda and wanted to see what it’s all about.
“I’ve been involved in music a long time and there’s nothing like it for bringing people together,” he says. “I think it’s the positive way that playing music with others makes you feel.
“Even if you have a bit of talent or you can’t play a note, everyone is bringing something.
“It’s that coming together that’s missing from society nowadays.”
Among those strumming guitars was Trevor Russell, an army veteran from Spalding.
He didn’t bring the bagpipes he can play. Maybe at another session.
“I miss playing with other people, so I thought this was a great opportunity,” he said. “You can only really advance yourself playing with others.”
Dan Herauville is Chris’s number two in the project.
“I’ve a young family so I haven’t played guitar as much.
“If doing this is something that encourages me to practice guitar for 10 minutes a day, then that’s great.
“It’s been astonishing to see these people who have never met before coming together to play and sing.
“People are here for the music, even if they can’t play an instrument they can come and talk music without any judgement.”
It all clearly meant a lot to Chris.
“Just look around and see the smiles on people’s face,” he motions around the room,” he said. “What more can you ask for?
“We’ve exciting plans. We’re looking at ways in which we might be able to get a budget together and perhaps be able to get instruments for attendees to play.
“But it’s still early stages and the main thing is just bringing people together.”
The next Spalding AIMP session is this Sunday (July 20) at Tonic Health, off Westlode Street, between 2pm and 4pm.
It has a public Facebook group All Included Music Project as well and the AIMP (All Included Music Project) private group too for more info.
