A charity concert is due to take place on Saturday, May 27, at the Barrington Centre in Ferndown to raise funds for Friends of Beaucroft School.

Beaucroft is a Foundation Special School that caters for children and young people between the ages of four and 19 who are experiencing learning difficulties, including complex needs, and those with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

The pupils’ needs range vastly and Beaucroft is dedicated to giving the very best education that children deserve. Children feel valued and staff ensure that learning needs are met. In addition to the National Curriculum, it offers a personalised, innovative curriculum to meet particular learning needs, focused on practical, community based learning, creating a friendly, caring environment where children positively thrive.

The concert is being organised by Shelley and Alan Smart whose son Sammy attends the school. Sammy was born with Down Syndrome, Hypermobility, Global Development Delay and is Nonverbal.

He was also diagnosed with Autism a few years ago. Beaucroft is a perfect educational setting for him and he is well known at the school by staff and peers alike. As parents to such a special child, Shelley and Alan last year decided they wanted to put something back as the school has completely transformed their child’s educational and social development in the seven years he has been there. As both parents were involved in the banding world, what better way of raising money for the school than a concert?

Rockin Oompah was formed and the show was a complete success in April 2022.
They have therefore decided to do it once again and would be grateful for any support from the local communities, whether it be through coming along to the concert, or local businesses/individuals being able to donate prizes for the raffle.

The evening will be split between two styles. Bierfass Band are an Oktoberfest-style band, performing traditional oompah music with the novel addition of performing 70s, 80s and modern classic pop songs with an oompah edge.

Alan is proud to be part of such a friendly, dedicated band. Grey Day are a rock/pop band covering songs from the 60s through to the 80s, 90s and current decade. Shelley recently joined the band, initially as a guest for the original concert last year and liked it so much, that she is now part of the band, something she is really enjoying with ‘the lads’ who have made her so welcome.

The evening will comprise two sets from each band with a raffle to take place during the interval. Please come along and support this event for such a fantastic cause.

It will be a really fun evening. The bar will also be open for refreshments. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

If anyone is interested in donating a prize, they could message through either the Bierfass or Grey Day Facebook pages via Messenger.

Tickets are on sale from the Barrington Centre through their box office and ticketline.
Telephone 0844 888 9991.