Drum circle encourages people to find their inner drummer

Jim Lundie, Chris Bennett, Val McDonald and Steve Hignett

A drum circle was held at St Andrew's Hall, Rochdale as a way of encouraging people to make music together. The interactive session, run by Rhythmweave, was a drumming and percussion workshop for people of all levels of experience.

Chris Bennett, who helped to run the session, said: “We have been running these events once a month for about 10 years and find that every one is different.”

Participants played different styles of music using a variety of drum and percussion instruments.

Chris added: “There is no set programme for the session. Steve who leads the session just wants to encourage people to play what they can.”

The group originally started as a Samba band but changed to run the community events. “The reason we transitioned from the band to these community based projects was because it was so much more accessible for people,” said Chris.

Steve, who runs the sessions, has a passion for making music and has performed in a variety of bands playing samba, rock, African and reggae music.

Jim Lundie, who has been attending the sessions for about five years, said: “They are great sessions. I work with people with learning difficulties so I have learnt some techniques that I can use at work.”

Val McDonald, attending her first session, said: “I thought I would come along and give it a try.”

Sessions are free but donations are welcomed. Group sizes often vary and can be anything from small groups to groups of up to thirty people.

Your reporter got involved with the session and played along with a variety of beats played on different drums and instruments.

“These sessions are an opportunity for people to come along and take the chance to get involved with drumming. We invite anyone along and that includes people with no experience,” said Chris.