Charity concert to help a community in Cambodia.

The Old Hall community will be holding a benefit night to raise money for an indigenous tribe in Cambodia whose land and livelihood is under threat. The local green, semi self-sufficient, farming community based in East Bergholt will be holding the ska night in their de-consecrated chapel. The event is running on Friday 18th November from 8pm until midnight. Tickets cost £5 per person on the door. There will a bar and hot snacks will be available.

The New Town Kings, a popular nine piece ska band from Colchester will be playing. Formed in 2006, the band has been rocking venues and festivals across the UK and Europe with own brand of Ska, Rock-steady and Reggae. The band is described as “great live, they were the best audience pleasers and are made to play live gigs.”

 

Background on the Newtown Kings some quotes from fans

‘Never have I felt such warmth emanating from the stage, and never before have I seen it being so enthusiastically reflected back to the musicians’ – www.noizemakesenemie s.co.uk

 

In 2007 New Town Kings won the grand final of O’Neill’s Undiscovered Live competition hosted by Radio 1′s Colin Murray at the Islington academy .

 

‘New Town Kings were great live, they were the best audience pleasers and are made to play live gigs’ – Colin Murray

 

Also in 2007 they gained a distribution deal with Do The Dog records for their self- financed debut album ‘Sound Of The New Town’

 

‘This album is faultless, 9.5/10.’ – Street voice review.

 

‘This uplifting debut is a complete gem and one of my records of the year so far.’ – distortedmagazine.com

 

‘I love this CD passionately and think that it will soon assume classic status.’ – neverwillchange.com

 

For Newtown Kings information

www.facebook.com/newtownkings or www.myspace.com/newtownkings (there are some great photos of the band on MySpace which can be used in any story)

Email contact:- newtownkings@hotmail.co.uk

The New Town Kings will be supported by the fabulous Ska Gills a local ska band, who have been popular for many years in the local venues recently playing the Brightlingsea Festival and Polstice the Polstead Solstice Festival.

Story of why we are raising money for the Tampuen People

The charity night came about as a former resident Tania Heath is currently working in Cambodia with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO). Tania, who comes from Bentley, is supporting the Tampuen people who live a hunter and gatherer existence. It is a way of life that has been unchanged for generations but now the tribe is under pressure from land developers. Some of their ancient tribal lands have already been forcibly taken off them with the support of corrupt officials. And they are in constant danger of having more taken off them. The tribe are also fighting to keep the Yeak Loam Lake, which they consider sacred, from further unsustainable development. Tania has been working to help protect their rights and they now have the support of a top law firm in the Cambodia to help their cause. Tania says “They are desperately trying to keep their lake and land, which is where their food comes from and where their ancestors have hunted and lived for many generations.”

On a recent visit home to Old Hall from her VSO placement, Tania gave a presentation to Old Hall residents on the situation in Cambodia. Community members were moved by Tania’s stories and wanted to support these people to continue their ancient ways of life. They came up with the idea putting on the gig as a way of raising funds as well increasing awareness of the pressure indigenous people are under.

Any monies raised will be put in a local fund for the Tampeun people run by the VSO. Tania, who will be working in the area until at least next April, will be on hand to ensure the money is utilised well. It will help to pay for a translator who speaks the local languages as well Khmer (the national language) and to support a youth group. Tania says “The money raised will help these people learn new skills to be able to lobby to keep their lands and survive in a world that is changing fast around them.”

Further information or to make a donation contact 01206 299380

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