Highly Honoured.

[Stephen Hawkins]

Some of you may recall an earlier post in which I described the tragic murder of a young girl in a local park. Following this horrific event, morale in the park was, as you would expect, extremely low. It had always been a happy place for anglers, dog owners and families, but became very sombre in the aftermath of this violent episode.

Leaving a respectful period of time before we began our mission to cheer up the park, Brenda & I selected a suitable spot from which to play. That was almost a year ago, and we are now well known by everyone who regularly visits the park.

Hundreds of people visit the park on a daily basis, and we have got to know the majority of them. I cannot count the number of people who have praised our efforts, and amongst this number is the owner of the lakes and the Café.

Some months ago, Steve (the Café owner) promised to have flags laid in the area we frequent. Yesterday, when we arrived for our afternoon session, we found a beautifully laid out area for us to set up our chairs and play. Brenda & I feel distinctly honoured and quite touched by this recognition.

It isn't as though I am a great (or even good) accordionist, but at least I have tried to make a difference.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Tom]

Great work Stephen, thank you. This is what we need.

 

[JerryPH]

This is an example of how one or two people can make a big difference in the lives of many (often much more than we realize), not that it needs to be said but... awesome job!

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

I shouldn't do this, but it's too damned tempting not to.

Hello Tom & Jerry,

Thank you both for your kind and encouraging words. It is my strong belief that communities are the sum total of the individuals who live and/or work in them, and that those communities benefit tremendously from any and all altruistic efforts which set a good example.

As you already know, I have been playing for a Dementia & Carers group for about a year. Sadly, but unavoidably, this group has been closed down very recently. Because I have played in Care Homes & Old Folks Homes, my name and 'phone number has been passed on to yet another Care Home. I received a call from them earlier this week, asking if I could play for their residents. I agreed to this request.

Two of my own relatives ended their lives in this home, so I have visited it on a number of occasions in the past. This place is different to the ones I have played at to date, as it is really just a warehouse housing people who are pretty well beyond any hope of recovery.

My previous visits are memorable because of the smell of stale urine and other waste matter. It seems not to matter how regularly the staff clean and disinfect the place, as the stench permeates the entire building.

Playing there will be no picnic, I'm sure of that, but, if it can give some little ray of hope to these unfortunate souls, it will be well worth the effort.

If any of what I have written here inspires you, please consider giving a little of your time to alleviate the misery of sick and elderly people.

And for my own pleasure, Grant's Whisky was on special offer at my local store today. I don't drink much, but I'm going to have a big slug of Scotch tonight. Cheers !!!

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[maugein96]

Hi Stephen,

Glad your good work has been recognised, and you live in a civilised society where they can chance selling cheap booze without putting a burden on your health service.

Spare a thought for your neighbours in Scotland who cannot participate in bargain offers on alcohol. Whisky can't be sold here for less than £14 for a 70cl bottle. Mind you, Grant's wouldn't really be considered a bargain up here, unless it was for lighting fires. Grouse, Bell's, Whyte and Mackays, and Teachers all fall into the same category.

The national tipple up here in Scotland has been vodka for some time, as we all tend to feel foreign if somebody offers us a "Scotch". I have had a "dram" of Black Bottle tonight, which they reckon is filtered through peat, probably of the sort where sheep like to graze, as there is another weird taste in it. Best whiskies IMHO come from Caithness and Orkney, but I've always been more of a Viking than a Gael.

A local woollen mill has recently been converted into a gin distillery, and they were wondering what name it should be marketed under. I pointed out that most English people (at least in the south) ask for "Frentch" brandy, and "Scotch" whisky, so why not "Englitch" gin? I was given a filthy look so left in a hurry. I tried to explain that my mischievous nature was due to the "Iritch" in me, but they weren't interested.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi John,

Gin is my drink of choice in the summer months, but I still enjoy a nice glass of Scotch late in the evening.

As with the better makes of accordion, the cost of elite brands of Whisky are prohibitive for elderly gentlemen on finite pensions.

Thankfully, happiness does not rely too much on conspicuous consumption. The simple things in life can certainly be the foundation for contentment, while complexity can undermine, obscure and obstruct fulfilment.

The main purpose of this thread is to highlight the needs of our communities, and to demonstrate the possibilities for accordionists to address some of those needs. You know that I am not a particularly good accordionist, and that I don't own any superb accordions, yet I get out there and play my music for those who most need it.

I am not trying to set myself up as a saint; far from it. No religious or financial imperatives motivate me, nor do I do it to gain status or influence. I just happen to have identified a chronic need which I think the average accordionist is very well placed to alleviate.

Many of our fellow members are still working, and I appreciate the fact that they have rather pressing priorities of their own. I am in the envious position of being long retired, making my time my own. I could sit back and vegetate, and I must confess that sometimes appeals, but I enjoy active participation in my community.

I do not see retirement as being the end of useful life. Rather, it is a gateway to self-fulfilment (and a little indulgence.)

All The Best, Old Scout.

Stephen.

 

[maugein96]

Sorry Stephen,

Your address to "Tom and Jerry" prompted me to begin one of my "comedy" routines, and I failed to pay lip service to the theme of your thread (again).

Your services to the elderly people in your community are commendable, and as far as I'm aware there are no like minded musicians in my local area who would be prepared to give up their time to such a cause. I certainly couldn't do it.

I suppose my issue is that I have moved around so much during my lifetime that I'm not really "local" to any specific area. The town where I now live is fairly isolated, and its residents can be pretty xenophobic. Therefore "community spirit" can be a bit of an alien concept to me.

I fully appreciate that your particular situation is different from mine, and the desire to help others is in us all, if we are able.

Keep up the good work!

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi John,

That's the spirit ! I hope that everyone on this site recognises the need for positive action in communities, and that some will actually do something about it.

I understand your circumstances fully, and can appreciate your reluctance to join in with community events. That said, I feel quite sure that there are groups of people in your community who would be delighted to hear you play.

The community in which I live is far from homogenous, so selecting the right audience is imperative. I am not going to play my accordion for groups of burglars or drug dealers, or any other group of people who I cannot relate to in some way.

A couple of months ago, a friend rang me to ask if I could play some Scottish tunes. She runs a "Rainbow Guides" group, and was trying to teach them Scottish Dance. Rainbow Guides are 5 & 6 year old girls, so I didn't like to let them down. I very quickly exhausted my limited repertoire of Scottish tunes, and so decided to experiment. Now, you can believe it or not, but these beautiful little girls had a whale of a time dancing to "Wooden Heart." It was a bit surreal.

Take It Easy, Old Scout.

Stephen.

 

[maugein96]

Stephen,

Glad you enjoyed playing for them. Such is my "knowledge" of song titles I had to look up "Wooden Heart". Don't think I'd ever heard it before, but I'm younger than you!

Except during a local event, or as part of one of the locally established town bands, anybody caught playing a musical instrument in the street here is relentlessly moved on as being a "nuisance", and if they persistently re-appear they are charged with Breach of the Peace (which has a different connotation to your English version). There is a cafe in our local park, where they have to charge extortionate prices to keep the local troublemakers out, and I fear that any would be musical entertainer playing in that vicinity would get a rough time there.

We used to get two or three Roma street accordionists, but they never lasted long, due to being chased away by both the police and the local louts. They now play over the border in England, where they seem to have an easier existence.

Fortunately, your community seems vastly different from mine. There are many decent communities in Scotland, but unfortunately I've never been lucky enough to have lived in any of them.

No doubt if I lived in such a community, then my attitude would be different, and I could even consider getting involved in some community activities, without fear of my accordion being thrown in the river!

I'm envious of your community, but my wife refuses to move, despite the fact she is from a "rival" town 20 miles away, and some local people won't speak to her on account of that. Yes really! There should be signs at the border reminding people to put their watches back by 50 years!

 

[Tom]

Good work Stephen!

I'm doing my monthly "civic duty" at the local Alzheimer's support group tomorrow, and I understand what you're saying about the "warehouses." It's depressing but gratifying too, as you say.

I don't really drink Scotch or Whiskey but we have new distilleries opening around here too, and enough of a German influence to still play it as "Muss I Denn....."

Carry on and good luck!

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi John,

Okay, I know I'm older than you, but you don't have to rub it in. Wait until you turn 70.

The village from which I originate was a quiet and sleepy little place, but things have changed for the worse. I can recall a time when, if you had been out shooting, no-one would bat an eyelid if you carried your shotgun into the post office while you conducted some business.

Try that nowadays and you would soon be surrounded by armed police. Society has changed, but I believe that we can all do something to mitigate the sheer awfulness of modern attitudes. This is where the accordion comes in.

All The Best, Old Scout.

Stephen.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi Tom,

It is wonderful to learn that you are a man with a social conscience. I applaud your selfless devotion and community spirit.

The Dementia Group I have been playing for has now closed, largely due to falling numbers. We provided free refreshments and entertainment, but it just wasn't enough. The Dementia Group came under the umbrella of AGE.UK & the local authority, but was run exclusively by volunteers.

Anyway, you should be proud of yourself, and I hope you are.

With Respect,

Stephen.

 

[Tom]

Thanks Stephen! Ours is run by the County, which is how I got involved (I work there too). When I mentioned it this morning my wife said, "Don't forget!" I say it's practice for being on the other side of the table! For a year or two we had a band with myself on guitar or accordion, a mandolin and a viola player (both with Alzheimers). Now it's just me and the viola player and he is having some difficulties. Anyway, we persevere!

Good luck with your events!

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi Tom,

Yes, we are all getting older. Old age is a curse, but I'm not too keen to try the alternative just yet.

My first "gig" is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, so I have been brushing up on my 40's & 50's music today.

Good luck with all your endeavours.

Stephen.

 

[Tom]

Cool! Good luck, let us know how it goes.....

 

[maugein96]

Hi Tom,

Yes, we are all getting older. Old age is a curse, but Im not too keen to try the alternative just yet.

My first gig is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, so I have been brushing up on my 40s & 50s music today.

Good luck with all your endeavours.

Stephen.

Hi Stephen.

Whats 40s music? It sounds like old folk playing for even older folk to me! Youll manage it fine if you write it all down on a piece of paper. Some would say were all getting bolder.

Your mention of brush up got me laughing very loudly.

Margo and I have been invited to the Irish Republic in September, regarding the reburial of my grandfathers cousin.

The local people speak gaeltacht, and they know Im an Irish citizen, so it looks like Ill need to brush up my Erse. Whats funny about that? Erse is the Irish name for the Irish language, but is also the Scottish name for arse or ass if youre from North America!

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi Tom,

I will let you know how we get on today, though previous experience suggests that all will be well.

The only difference between this home and all the others I have played is that this one is a bit nearer the mortuary door. You could describe it as "God's Waiting Room", if that were not a little flippant.

Anyway, you may be sure that I will do my best.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hello John,

"What's 40's music?" Well, my definition would be: music which was written or performed in the 40's. An example of this would be "La Vie en Rose", which I actually play quite nicely.

"old folk playing for even older folk" is probably an accurate description of what this gig entails, though I have actually played in some care homes for people who were younger than myself. (though most are not)

The waters are rather muddy when it comes to how these homes are described. Some "Care Homes" cater for people of all ages who may be recovering from serious operations. These facilities are usually for short term residency, but not exclusively so. Other "Care Homes" cater mostly for the chronically infirm and elderly, though they may have spare beds for those who are released from hospital and do not have care in place at home. I guess it is about emphasis.

Anyway, the one I am playing at today could accurately be described as "the bitter end", as nearly all its residents leave in a pine box. Daunting? Yes, but if not me, who is going to entertain these people? I don't see queues of accordionists lining up outside these hell holes. There has never been a stampede in progress as I have walked through the doors of places like this.

I know a few musicians, friends of mine, who do play in some of these homes, but they do it for remuneration. Most homes have an entertainment coordinator and a budget for entertainment, but budgets have been slashed in recent years. All I get is a cup of tea and perhaps a biscuit, which is all I want.

All The Best, Old Scout.

Stephen.

 

[Tom]

You the man, Stephen!

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hello Tom,

Great praise indeed ..... thank you.

Brenda & I arrived at the Care Home a little early today, as we wanted to give ourselves plenty of time to set up. Before we arrived, and for a few days, I felt some trepidation about what we would walk into. I can now report that there have been significant improvements in the cleanliness of the buildings, though the residents are much as they have always been.

As you would expect, some residents slept through the entire performance, though the majority were vocally appreciative of our efforts. One elderly lady lost her hearing aid, and there was great disruption while staff tried to find it. In the end, it was discovered that she was sitting on it.

Between tunes and poems, Brenda & I engaged the residents in conversation. It soon became clear that they had very little in the way of entertainment, and no live music at all. We promised to visit regularly from now on, which met with real excitement.

I have now arranged for a guitarist and a saxophonist to form a little ensemble with us, which will take some of the pressure off Brenda & I.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.