Axbridge News: footballers, flautists and wine, in an unexpected night out in the town

Music Review of a Concert in Axbridge Church by Weston Light Orchestra in aid of The Friends of Axbridge Parish Church on May 9^th, 2026.

By Harry Mottram: Feeling a little down on Saturday evening, my spirits were lifted by sheer chance with the music of the Weston Light Orchestra in Axbridge church – all rather by accident – but more of that later. It was a wonderful concert – especially the orchestral renditions from The London Suite by Eric Coates. Uplifting, toe tapping and a tonic for the soul – music you could walk across England with. It was the start of the second half of the concert organised and in aid of The Friends of Axbridge Parish Church – the society who help to restore and preserve the historic and socially significant interior of the Grade I Listed building.

The inspirational piece by Coates was followed by Charles Williams’ A Quiet Stroll – familiar to those who used to watch the BBC TV’s farming programme. And then in contrast Percy Fletcher’s Demoiselle Chic  – distinctly Fin de Siècle with it’s wonderfully flouncy (I’m sure that’s a musical term) feel.

The highlight for me was the soloist Zoe Maitland accompanied by pianist John Johnson. In her olive-green ball gown with its rouged neckline and John in formal attire on a grand piano this was a five-star performance. Her voice was pitch perfect as she sang a selection of songs including folk, operatic and traditional numbers including in the first half of the programme a song of female betrayal – or so it was introduced. They were star performers and worth the £10 ticket price on their own.

It was a full programme of music introduced by Paul Passey of The Friends and conducted with good humour and energy by Paul Beechey with works by Edward Elgar, Trevor Duncan, Antonín Dvořák, Emmerich Kálmán and Gerhard Winkler. There was also a treat with a medley of music from Mary Poppins by the Sherman brothers which had me trying to remember all the numbers – It’s a Jolly Holiday, Chim Chim cher-ee, and of course Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Leroy Anderson’s Belle of the Ball was followed by John Johnson playing a tribute to the late great Fats Waller before a rousing orchestral medley finale from The Sound of Music by Richard Rodgers.

So much music in a packed programme and for musically illiterate members of the audience (like me) a window into a wide range of composers and styles – and as befits a light orchestra – all very accessible to the ear. Marion Bidmead introduced each section of the evening to give it its context – while the orchestra was: Kaja May and Amy Irvine (flautists); Stephen Bidmead (oboist and soloist); Keane Keast and Gill Holdaway (Clarinettists); Jane Lincoln (bassoonist); Peter Patch, Nola Pavey and Nicola Bradshaw (violinists); Mark Griffiths and Alison Sutton (violists); John Johnson already mentioned on piano and finally double bassist David Sutton.

All of this unfolded by chance on a sunny evening in Axbridge in May when I decided to take a walk to Cheddar Reservoir since I had hit something of a mental low after failing to cycle to John O’ Groats for the fourth time. Crossing the Square my neighbour Margaret appeared and said, ‘you are going aren’t you.’ I immediately said yes, not quite knowing what she meant – ‘the Weston Light Orchestra. You know in the church.’ I couldn’t say no but reasoned I could perhaps just do the first half but first checked with Margaret as to whether there was a bar in the church for the concert. Once I knew this (wine at £3 a glass – a bargain), I had time for a shorter walk (bumping into Axbridge stalwart and tractor driver George Tyte with a catch up on his late mother’s life and death) and a chance to pop into the newly opened Oak House Hotel. The place was very busy – patrons enjoying a drink outside in the late evening sun – staff quick to serve me – and Ray Sparks racing past with plates of food for the diners.

With my spirits raised – and a chance to take a photo of the victorious Axbridge United footballers with their newly won league trophy – I entered the fine stone portals of the church for an evening with a difference. It wasn’t packed but there was a good-sized audience many of whom I knew – or knew me – and all in a great cause – the preservation of the interior of St John the Baptist’s Church which dates back to the 13^th century. A musical way of looking after the town’s long history – and an unexpected night out in Axbridge – Cheddar Reservoir can wait.

For more on the Weston Light Orchestra  visit https://westonlightorchestra.wordpress.com/

For more on the Friends of Axbridge Church visit https://www.stjohnthebaptistaxbridge.org.uk/foac.asp

Harry Mottram

More stories on Axbridge at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/2026/05/04/axbridge-news-new-mayor-of-axbridge-to-be-announced-oak-house-to-reopen-gypsy-site-proposals-prompt-petition-and-part-of-axbridges-railway-station-is-returned/

See also https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/journalist/axbridge/reviews/

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