Rolf Harris to sing live for charity event in Watford (From Watford Observer)

Rolf Harris to sing live for charity event in Watford

10:45am Friday 1st February 2008

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WHEN Bev Carter first went to visit her partner Tony Amaechi's birthplace, little did she know that ten years on they'd be launching a new charity, Friends Out There, with a massive multi-cultural event at Watford Colosseum on Friday, February 15, featuring Rolf Harris.

Over the years, Bev's link with Umulogho Village in Nigeria has grown stronger and stronger and what began with providing art materials for schoolchildren has become a fullscale project forging links between children in Africa and Watford.

It is uplifting and inspiring to see young people making connections between Umulogho Village in Nigeria and Watford

Rolf Harris

Bev met Rolf through a friend and he readily agreed to attend the launch of the Friends Out There charity. Rolf will be playing music alongside his friend Shining Bear. There will also be live performances from Kakatsitsi, Master Drummers from Ghana and the sounds of Chimanimani from Zimbabwe, plus dance, music, art, food, craft stalls, juggling and various workshops for children.

Rolf says: "It is uplifting and inspiring to see young people making connections between Umulogho Village in Nigeria and Watford, through the medium of art, music and dance. I'm looking forward to being part of the wonderful multi-cultural event and I wish Friends Out There all the very best. I'm sure they will achieve a great deal."

Supported by his friend, master didgeridoo player Shining Bear, Rolf will be performing live on the night. He says: "I'll be singing Two Little Boys, and probably a lot of other favourites of mine such as Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport with my wobble board, as that's sort of my theme song, and will be bringing my piano accordion to accompany myself with various other songs I might be doing from my repertoire. My dear friend Shining Bear will be accompanying me with his E' didgeridoo when I sing the aboriginal song Sun Arise, which has become, over the years, almost like an anthem to all the members of my band. Shining Bear will also be doing some of his virtuoso performances on this amazing instrument. It is hard to believe, when you hear the sounds that he creates with the didgeridoo, that it is nothing more nor less than a hollow wooden tube. He's amazing!"

Bev and her artist friend Roger Bretayne, who has been painting in the African style with his baby son Max strapped to his side, will also be donating their artworks for raffle prizes. On the night the the audience can sponsor bricks and see how far the buildings have progressed on the wall. Bev says: "The main aim of the event is to bring alive and value the connections communities have across continents. Our first project A Little Something About Me was between started because St Maria Goretti Secondary School in Umulogho doesn't have any computers or access to the internet, but the children wanted to make new friends and they sent booklets about themselves to children in England. We did a workshop with Queens' School in January and they all wrote messages which we are sending back to Umulogho. It was wonderful how open for friendship the students were."

Talking to Bev is inspirational but she says her drive and enthusiasm has been more than met by others. She says: "Although we haven't got any sponsors as yet this whole event has been possible because people are giving their time and energy for free. I'm really hoping the night will be a success, firstly because I know we can do something positive to help the children in Umulogho Village to have a new school and the facilities they need to learn, and that should be a right for every child in the world. Secondly, because, every friendship starts with a conversation and it's just wonderful when people pull together to help make change."

Tickets: from Watford Palace Theatre box office on 01923 225671 (£5-£12, family £30). Details: Bev Carter on 020 8387 0483 or email: bevalittlesomething@hotmail.co.uk

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