The Eclectic String Band are to perform a concert at Stroud’s Congregational Church on 7th July with money raised from the performance being donated to the renovation of the Grade 2 listed building.

The musical ensemble, who used to be known as the Cirencester String Orchestra, are comprised of members from all over Gloucestershire who play the violin, cello, viola and double bass. “We’re all excited ahead of what promises to be a great afternoon for the group,” said band member Alan Bingle. “We’ll be raising money for the church, who have had some renovations done quite recently. We’re not charging for tickets, we just ask that anyone who comes to watch us gives a donation to the church. It would be fantastic if we could raise a nice sum,” he added.

The string band will be performing songs from famous films, including pieces from ‘Titanic’, ‘Shakespeare in Love’, ‘Born Free’, ‘Mamma Mia’ plus a host of other famous films on Saturday 7th July at Stroud’s Congregational Church. Continued Alan: “We’re a flexible group of musicians, we cover classical performers such as Mozart right through to songs from modern films.

“I play the cello. I started learning the cello eight years ago, pretty much straight after I retired. I had a few lessons and really enjoyed learning a new instrument. I’d played classical guitar for a number of years, that’s a completely different instrument – a solo instrument. I’ve really enjoyed learning the cello, I play in three string quartets as well as two orchestras. It’s almost like a new occupation after finishing work! Playing as part of a group is a real challenge. As a soloist you can focus on your own music but when you’re part of a group of musicians you have to really up your levels of concentration and focus on your timing.

“We practise every Wednesday, we’re not like some musical groups that stop for the summer holidays, we only have two weeks off in the entire year, that’s over Christmas time.”

There will be a quick turnaround after their performance on 7th July as the string group will be performing for a very special audience at Highworth just a fortnight later. Alan explained: “On 21st July we’ll be getting on stage again for our ‘Music from the Movies’ performance. Highworth have a French exchange arrangement and it just so happens that we’ll get the opportunity to perform for their French visitors which is tremendously exciting.”