Gramophone Hour is the brainchild of Stuart Jebbitt, who is one of Coda’s community musicians. Stuart regularly visits and plays in local residential care homes, so wanted to find a way to engage and entertain older people from home, using his gramophone and extensive collection of 78s.

Coda’s freelance team of musicians have been working to create online music resources for the key vulnerable groups with whom the charity works, including learning disabled groups and older people in the community, who are at the most severe risk from the virus and who feel more isolated than ever. Alongside providing weekly roundups of useful resources and music stories from around the world, the charity has been streaming weekly Facebook Live events on Fridays including a music quiz and concerts from its tutors.

This week, however, Coda’s Facebook Live transmission will be something a little bit different and may well bring to mind long-forgotten memories. Stuart will be spinning a selection of 78s, live from his Anderson Shelter, including George Formby, Vera Lynne, Tommy Handley and many others.

This content will also be available on Coda Music Trust’s YouTube channelon Saturday 2 May from 10am, where you will be able to access and play the video at a time that suits you.

Phil Hallett, CEO of Coda Music Trust, commented, “For anyone tuning into The Gramophone Hour, I hope you enjoy it and that it might be a useful tool for communication, engagement or just pure entertainment! Everyone at Coda believes that music is undeniably a force for good and we know that joining with us, and with people across the world, in sharing our love of music will be of benefit in these difficult times.”

Coda Music Trust is a small music charity based on the Dorset/Hampshire border, which has been supporting local people for over 20 years. Prior to lockdown, over 500 people would participate in Coda’s on-site music activities each week, including learning disabled adults and older people for whom Coda’s groups are not just a music activity but also vital social interaction.

To find out more about Coda Music Trust visit the website www.coda.org.uk  or contact Coda on 01425 276161 or via email contact@coda.org.uk

To join Coda online and enjoy Stuart spinning some 78s live, visit facebook.com/CodaMusicTrust/ on Friday 1 May at 7pm.