Published: January 6, 2008
Fundraising Highbridge rock concert goes ahead despite low turnout

Vandals have been blamed for reducing the number of music fans at a fundraising rock concert in Highbridge on Saturday night (January 5th).

Scores of promotional posters put up around the Morland Estate were torn down during the days leading up to the concert, angering organisers.

The event was aimed at youngsters aged under 17 and was organised by local group Burnham Rock to highlight some of the possible uses of the closure-threatened Morland Community Hall. It was also intended to give young musicians an opportunity to enjoy live music of a standard that is only usually available on licensed premises.

But the concert attracted a poor turnout and organiser Jeff Ham, founding member of Burnham Rock, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "It is sad that this happened. Someone out there tried to sabotage the event by taking down our posters."

"We put them up three times and each time they were removed. Presumably, they want the hall closed or do not want to support the groups we were raising money for."

Despite the lower than expected turnout, top Taunton rock band Evolution performed (pictured at the top of this page) alongside up-and-coming local group Just The Dilemma featuring local musicians Matt Filer, Steve Coggins and Ben Hazell.

Proceeds went to the Highbridge Stroke Club and Morland Youth Club.