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.
Comments