The Monkton Arts Lounge was turned into a packed music hall for a 1-night-only ‘Good Old Days’ evening earlier this week to raise funds for Ryde’s third sector group, Men Only IOW.
The packed house was entertained with fabulous renditions of ‘Down at the Old Bull and Bush’ and a whole lineup of incredible acts, including a special guest appearance by Soprano Jackie
Maw.
Jim Thorn was delivering musical accompaniment, with the evening hosted by Jon Thorne, whose elaborate, sesquipedalian introductions of the performers were reminiscent of the late, great Leonard Sachs.
The last act was Ryde’s mayor, Councillor Michael Lilley’s transformation into the legendary female impersonator, Danny La Rue. Lilley had pledged to perform the late Mr La Rue’s hits, ‘On Mother Kelly’s Doorstep and ‘I Am What I Am if £500 was raised before he went on stage, something which was well exceeded.
Before stepping on stage, Ryde Mayor, Michael Lilley, said:
“I have not put on a dress before, well at least not in public.
“I have rehearsed my songs “I am what I am” and “Mother Kelly’s doorstep”, learnt a few gags, and although very nervous, I am ready to go and shake a leg”
The money is being used in part to fund and support Men Only’s drop in facility based in the Ryde Depository and will be used to ensure they can keep the building warm, especially for
their Christmas Day Drop in.
Men Only is a peer-led initiative to support men and raise awareness of men’s mental health issues, and they are based in Ryde.
Men only have a mission to support men, whether they need some advice or just the space to talk. We intend to create a peer group to help men prevent mental health problems proactively rather than reactively and having a safe space for men to talk openly, seek advice or offer support is essential to the community of Ryde.
All the acts that gave terrific performances enthralled the whole house and, of course, Councillor. Michael Lilley, pictured here with Dawn Fidler and Jenna Sabine from Monkton Arts, Ryde, presenting the cheque for £703.42 to Karl Hart from Men Only IOW.
Ryde Mayor, Michae
l Lilley, said:
“I have supported Men Only from the beginning as men are 4 times for likely to commit suicide than women and 4 times less likely to talk about it. Male suicides are the highest number of suicides in the UK and on the Isle of Wight, with Ryde being the highest (as the most populated Town on the Island) area of suicides and suicide attempts.”
Men Only would like to give thanks to Dawn and Jenna at Monkton Arts for working exceptionally hard to organise and host the evening.
Good on you, Michael! Nobody can say Mike holds anything back when it comes to supporting his community.
Good on Dawn and Gemma too. They work tirelessly for the happiness and good of others in Ryde and on the Island. A real pair of gems.
I suppose the Black and White Minstrel show is off the cards these days. What a shame as everyone who watched it enjoyed it.