Brilliant Bootleg Beatles At Music In The Gardens

What a superb evening to open the three days of Music In The Gardens. A very large group of Sitwell Rotarians attended with their friends and families, and we had a great time. The opening act was The Bootleggers – a local band based in Sheffield; they were good enough to be a headline act, and lots of our group were up at the front dancing (some slightly better than others…..).
The main attraction was The Bootleg Beatles. They are the prime Beatles tribute band, and have appeared more than 4000 times since they formed in 1980 – including the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the Apple Corps 30th Anniversary, with Oasis, and at Glastonbury several times. Maybe it was because we knew all the words, but everyone in our group danced or sang along! The odd spot of rain did not matter, and the coach just about got us there and back (missing the odd stop now and again!).
We know just how much hard work goes into this festival, with Andy Bates, Dave Taylor and Alan Holloway on the committee looking after event management and finances, lots of volunteers helping to set up, stewarding each morning afternoon and evening, and clearing away afterwards. We also had Peter and Margaret Short selling us Rotary Beer, and Trish Lister’s family providing a Hogroast. The good news is we all enjoy it, and the event raises much needed cash for Roundabout, Neurocare, Aquabox and Rotary Foundation. Hard to believe that this is the thirteenth year already.

The following evening Rona and I were back again, stewarding. John Reilly and Lewis Nitikman started the evening off with some really good music; the main event was the appearance of 10cc, legends in the music world with a very long string of hits (and writers of hits for other people as well). The weather was excellent and again everyone enjoyed themselves. On the way back to the University to catch our tram, we walked down the hill with a young couple attending for the first time, having recently moved from Stockport (the home of 10cc) to Sheffield. They had really enjoyed their evening; we told them about the event, the Rotary involvement, and the funds raised. They asked us to pass on their personal best wishes to everyone in Rotary who is involved in the event, since they felt it was high quality, good fun, and worthwhile. They will I am sure join the ranks of those who come back year after year.

Today is a Night At The Movies, with The Unite Brass Band supporting the Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra; it is fine and sunny, so it will be a fitting climax to the weekend, and if history is anything to go by, the firework display will again be special.

Thanks to everyone involved, and what a great evening out!
Graham Hudson