Liverpool’s Big Guitar-In aims to break record and support vital community hub

Local TV

Organisers at The Florrie hope more than six hundred musicians will unite at Mountford Hall on eleven December, raising funds to keep their free community classes running throughout the year.

Transcript

00:01Imagine strumming alongside hundreds of other guitarists, from first-timers to professionals, all playing together for one huge cause.

00:08That's the atmosphere organisers at the Flory are hoping to recreate at Mountford Hall on Thursday the 11th of December,

00:15as the big guitar-in returns for a record-breaking festive event.

00:20If you're a guitarist of any kind, even if you just got a guitar last week and you're just learning how to strum one chord, we'll have you.

00:28It doesn't matter, it's all about the guitars, it's about the social environment as well.

00:33It's an absolutely beautiful event, you know, Nasher from Frankie Goes to Hollywood's there, Space are going to be there,

00:40we've got lots of other famous surprises on the actual, neither Sway, an up-and-coming band, they're going to be there as well.

00:47And all these bands and all these artists do it entirely out of the goodness of their own hearts.

00:52They're aiming to bring at least 603 musicians together, breaking last year's record.

00:57So I went to the big guitar in 2022 and I recognised Simo from one of Paddy the Baddies' videos and he came in,

01:08I was like, oh my God, it's that guy, so I wanted to come down and I did.

01:12And then a year later I was on stage, George as well, playing a guitar solo, you know,

01:16so some great opportunities have come from it as well, so it's boss, love it here.

01:21The event's not just about musics, it's raising funds to safeguard the Flory's free community classes,

01:27which have become a lifeline for people across the Dingle and wider Liverpool area.

01:32According to the Flory, 19 different classes run every week,

01:35from gardening and Tai Chi to autism support art and history.

01:39Tens of thousands of people have attended since the programme began,

01:42and organisers say the classes help combat social isolation, improve cognitive function,

01:47and create a space for people to learn and connect.

01:50For me, it's brought me on as a guitar player, but it's more than that, it's like a community.

01:56I've made a lot of friends who I'd never speak to if I wouldn't have came here,

02:00so it's massive and it's a lovely thing to be involved with.

02:05However, keeping the sessions free is getting harder.

02:09The charity says it faces competition for grants, rising demand and increased running costs from utilities and suppliers.

02:15The organisation relies on donations, sponsorship and fundraising,

02:20and needs more support than ever to maintain free access to its activities.

02:26And it's such a lovely, beautiful event to come along to.

02:28Sadly, the spectator tickets have sold out,

02:30so like I said, if you can play one chord, you can still be a spectator stroke guitarist at the event.

02:38And there's not many to go, so please, obviously, go to theflorry.org.

02:43For organisers, The Big Guitar Inn is a celebration of community,

02:46as well as a fundraiser with guest performers, including space, joining rehearsals ahead of the big day.

02:51They hope the occasion will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience

02:54that keeps The Florry Support Network running for the people who depend on it most.

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