The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A music festival dedicated to those with a disability or learning difficulties is being held in Spalding this year – and organisers want to hear from those who wish to get involved.
The Going Forward Music Festival is set to take place later this year on Saturday, July 28 at The Priory School.
Spalding-based poet Callum Brazzo is one of those who will be performing at the even and is also on the organising committee.
Several other bands and singers are also set to perform on the day, but organisers would like to hear from more who.
Callum said: “We’re all so excited for it.
“I’m delighted to be a committee member for the festival as involving those with disabilities in organising it will drive it on further.
“If you have a disability such as autism it can be quite lonely at times.
“We want people to have a sense of community and events like this can only help that.”
The music festival has originated from the Going Forward Social Group which was set up as a reaction to the reduction of services being offered by local
authorities.
Alyson Commons is one of the people behind that group and the idea for the festival.
“The group has proved hugely popular and the Going Forward Music Festival is a continuation of that.
“We had seen about other music festivals on Facebook and initially spoke about it as a joke.
“But then we realised it would be great to do something like this locally.
“We’d love to hear from any acts that would like to play at the Festival and would urge them to get in touch.”
Anybody interested in taking part in the festival can contact Alyson on houseofcommons2@hotmail.com
On Friday, February 2, Callum will be performing his poetry in a special event at the South Holland Centre.
The talk entitled Autism: A Human Story details how the 26-year-old used poetry to help him deal with his diagnosis with autism just five years ago and how it had shaped his life before then.
He recently went back to his former school to speak to students.
Callum said: “I didn’t have a very nice time as a pupil at school and I hadn’t been diagnosed then.
“I was in a really dark place at the time so going back kind was scary but cool.
“With the talk at the South Holland Centre I talk about my experiences and mix it with poetry.
“I feel I can talk to people more through poetry.”
The event takes place at 3pm.
Entry is free but donations are encouraged.
