Launching a new series of Chichester band nights

Funded by the Foyle Foundation, the monthly evenings are designed to provide young people with the inspiration to perform, enjoy or get involved with live music and benefit from the well-being it provides.

Clare de Bathe, CCDT’s director, said: “The first evening saw three young bands performing. The first was an acoustic set from Lola and Mondo, a brother and sister band coached by local charity Ovation Music; followed by Rude Eyes, a Bishop Luffa band made up predominantly sixth-formers; and the headline act Electrical Fault, a young, upcoming indie band from West Sussex. The full 100 tickets sold out soon after being released, showing that the expected demand was real.

“In addition to the live band nights, Foot in the Door incorporates a programme of sound and light engineering that will train young people in the practical skills and provide them with real-world work experience to support them towards a career in the industry. The training will be aimed at young people struggling to find their way through academic life or find work in traditional industries, creating a foot in the door to something new and different. Participants will work towards the bronze Arts Award, with the option to progress to silver for those with more experience.

“The live band nights will take place on Friday nights, once a month at the Chapel for the next year, with hopes that they can become more frequent if the funding application to the Arts Council proves successful. March’s band night will feature The Jake Lynas Quartet and Kristyna Gilarova and takes place on Friday, March 17. Bookings are already available from https://graylingwellchapel.com/whats-on/. All tickets include a hot meal, with under 18s going free, 18-25s paying just £5 and over 25s tickets at £15.”

Clare added: “For so long young people in Chichester and the surrounding area have missed out – their teenage years were spent confined through Covid and on being released back into their freedoms there is minimal night time economy for them to access. Live music has an ability to both connect people and support mental health – both integral aspects of the work we’re doing at Graylingwell Park, marking over a century’s heritage of helping people feel better. It was incredible to see so many young people at our event on Friday and we hope it continues to be as well supported in coming months.” Chichester Community Development Trust (CCDT) trades for social purpose and delivers social and environmental benefits to the local community. It owns, manages and maintains land and community buildings and develops and encourages, fosters and promotes the physical, economic and social development and regeneration of the area. It also protects/ conserves the environment and creates training and employment opportunities. It advances education, training and retraining and also promotes public safety.