Great Sunday music at Oxjam

Reub Palin and his team laid on an amazing array of talent yesterday for Audlem's first ever Oxjam, twelve hours of live music at the Lord Combermere and raising money for Oxfam.

The weather turned out brilliantly – far better than at late May's Music Festival – meaning the marquees, heating laid on if required, proved a superb venue.

The stage management, with an acoustic and main stage, meant an almost instantaneous switching from one band to the next and virtually continuous entertainment.

The bands were individually sponsored and funds for Oxfam were raised through sponsorship, donations and sales of a compilation CD with eleven tracks donated by the bands performing on the day.

Talent

The performers were a mix of local talent and popular favourites from further afield, the young and not quite so young, some very new to performing live and experienced seasoned entertainers.

With such talent on stage it seems almost churlish to highlight just some but, on the main stage, it has to be said that Manchester's Modern Alarms set the place alight. They love Audlem and have built up a big following. 

Rootless Vagabonds on the acoustic stage were outstanding but this was a day when talent abounded and music lovers enjoyed a full Sunday treat. Let's hope this is the first of many Oxjams.

Compilation CD

The Wash; Blué Cafe with two tracks; The Folkwits: Darren Poyzer; Roydan Styles; Modern Alarms; Alex Hulme; The Foxy Wellingtons; Hello Big World and Dayve Dean feature on the album.

Your reporter had a chance to listen to the CD last night. It is extraordinarily good value – top quality recordings, a wonderful range of music styles and just £3. You will listen to this many times and be amazed by the talent that played at Oxjam.

The last track, Regrets,said to have been recorded at The Hoc's JAM sessions by Blue Café on an iPhone, is ten minutes of engaging music and, it has to be said, is also a testimony to the technical brilliance of the late Steve Jobs' hand-held devices. An iPhone – it's incredible!

If you missed buying one – they are just £3 – speak to Ian Haughey at Hoc's Fat Pigeon or Reuben Palin.

Youngsters

Youngsters flocked in to Oxjam to enjoy face painting by 'Lorna in the Corner' as she soon became known. Lorna had such a queue all afternoon she must have even greater stamina than the musicians! 

The effect was magical - few will forget the freshly face-painted youngster dancing on stage with Modern alarms keeping perfect time with the music.

Our thanks, as so often, to Phil Baker for the photographs.

Sponsors of Oxjam

With great thanks to the Sponsors – without their help, none of this would have happened:-

• The Lord Combermere


• Hocs Fat Pigeon


• Audlem Arts and Music Festival


• Sandicroft Stud


• Audlem Action for Youth


• Markden Ltd


• Premier Car Valet


• Grange Kennels & Cattery


• The Salad Bowl and Coffee Lounge


• Audlem Cooperative Food

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