YOUNG musicians taking part in a weekly jam session at The Hub, in Barnard Castle, have been given a cash boost thanks to a Masons benevolent fund.
Following on from a successful centenary fund appeal, the Mark Master Masons of Durham were able to ask each lodge in the county to nominate one good cause in their area that works with children to receive £1,000. The Hub’s music studio received the most nominations in the Barnard Castle Lodge area.
Mike Jacques, of the Mark Master Masons of Durham, handed over the cash on Thursday and witnessed first-hand the facilities that are available to young musicians in Teesdale.
He said: “I think it is wonderful. In my lifetime I have found music is an ageless, universal language. It is wonderful that they can come here and talk about music, and forget individuality and play together.”
Although the weekly jam sessions each Thursday between 3.30pm and 5pm have temporarily been halted because of fears over coronavirus, they usually attract as many as 80 youngsters.
Studio co-ordinator Tom Whittaker said the cash would be used to buy new kit, to maintain existing instruments and spread the word about the sessions.
