St Peter’s Live ‘raises the roof’ to raise funds for roof restoration

OK, slight exaggeration in the headline but yesterday the doors of St Peter’s were thrown open to those coming to hear some of the exciting local talent perform in the glorious setting that was once the western ‘bookend’ church of Marlborough’s High Street – St Peter’s.

The afternoon was topped and tailed by two of this area’s up and coming performers – Ann Liu Cannon who kicked the afternoon off and Devizes-based band ‘Nothing Rhymes With Orange’ who closed the day.

The haunting tones of Ann Liu Cannon’s pure and captivating voice soared through the vaulted elevations of the St Peter’s auditorium, made even more striking and perfect by the input of Nick Beere, this area’s sound engineer, producer and all round music performance guru. He made the excellence of talent playing, well, sound as good as they ever could, anywhere.

We last saw Ann Liu Cannon here in Marlborough a few weeks ago when she launched her EP ‘Chalk’ at Sound Knowledge. Her debut album will follow, soon.

Between Ann Liu Cannon and Nothing Rhymes With Orange to complete the large line-up there were Lloyd Edwards, Josh Kumra, Fall From Ruin and Viduals.

‘St Peter’s Live’ yesterday was the launch event for a series of live music events in St Peter’s aimed at bringing St Peter’s to the attention of as many in the area as possible. Showcasing what a beautiful, usable and important venue it is for Marlborough, whilst flagging up the continual need for funds to keep it as it is and in excellent condition for the generations to come.

More events will follow. But it is increasingly being used by many local groups, the Marlborough History Society, LitFest, Sound Knowledge and many more besides whilst also offering itself as a ‘warm space’ as it did during recent winters and providing an inspiring atmosphere for just a cup of tea, coffee and cake or bun in the Cardinal Coffee Shop in the auditorium.

St Peter’s is run by the eponymous charitable trust who’s aim is – as stated in their website – ‘We maintain this historic, landmark building for the benefit of Marlborough’s community’.