Musicians and the local church have joined forces in Bedale, North Yorkshire, to ‘make a joyful noise to the Lord’ and to raise funds for the earthquake disaster relief fund in Nepal.
St Gregory's Church, Bedale hosted the BAMfest (Bedale Acoustic Music festival) on Sunday May 31, with a service celebrating the joy of music and the care of the world with a wide variety of musicians from choral singing to folk music.
Groups from the festival and from the local community contributed to the service. Wetherby Chorale sang ‘Forever young’, a Bob Dylan classic, and ‘Somewhere along the road’, a traditional song that closed the service and drew together thoughts and prayers. There was an acapella rendition of Amazing Grace. Local musician, Andy Bottomley sang his latest song, ‘Speaking with Angels’ while duo Helen Mary G. shared their experiences of their recent trip to Nepal and sand a song written in response to that trip, ‘ Khula Khaka Lullaby’.
This service also marked the close of a recent campaign to raise funds for the earthquake disaster relief in Nepal which has raised over £2200 to send to Nepal. Candles were lit during the service in memory of all those killed.