Clap for carers musician brings music to Norbreck's ears

A street in Norbreck is filled with the sound of music every week during the clap for carers campaign, as one talented musician plays his trumpet from his doorstep.
By Rebecca Beardmore
Published 27th Apr 2020, 11:45 BST
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Music teacher and ex-Army musician Mark Holt, 48, plays the instrument from his doorstep on Byfield Avenue, Norbreck, where he lives with his wife Lee, son Oliver, and step-daughter Ailish.

He decided to play "Somewhere over the rainbow" after seeing requests on Facebook for musicians to play the song during the national clap for carers movement, and has played a variety of tunes every week since.

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Mark said: "I've played brass instruments for over 40 years, I teach brass at Blackpool Music School and I'm a peripatetic music teacher, but obviously because of the crisis I can't work in the same way I would before.

Mark Holt stands outside his Byfield Avenue home every week to play his trumpet and show his gratitude to care workers during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo: Mark Holt)Mark Holt stands outside his Byfield Avenue home every week to play his trumpet and show his gratitude to care workers during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo: Mark Holt)
Mark Holt stands outside his Byfield Avenue home every week to play his trumpet and show his gratitude to care workers during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo: Mark Holt)

"I served as a professional Army musician for 26 years, and normally on a Thursday night I would be in Bolton working with the artillery band there, but now I can join in with the carers clap instead."

Mr Holt said the feedback from neighbours was "brilliant," and with the support of wife Lee the family have been getting involved with the community effort to show appreciation for care workers.

"It's been great fun, I've had brilliant feedback from neighbours," said Mark.

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"I've had people contacting me for song requests, and one neighbour even asked me if I could go along to his mum's house and play Happy Birthday for her as she's self-isolating.

"It's been great to see the neighbourhood come together, residents from round the corner coming to our street to enjoy the music, and the collective effort everyone has gone to during this crisis to look out for each other."