Stevenage singers and musicians have joined together to record a song to raise money for the victims of the recent terror attacks at London’s Borough Market and the Manchester Arena.
The song called Two Cities is based on a poem by Mancunian Trevor Stokes and will raise cash for the UK Solidarity Fund – set up by the British Red Cross to help victims of terrorism.
A host of Stevenage musicians are involved in the project.
Trevor’s dad, Harry Stokes who has lived in Stevenage for 27 years and was previously landlord of the St Nicholas Tavern in Canterbury Way , is an amateur record producer and came up with the idea of turning the poem into a song.
He approached Stevenage band Dakota Smile to record it.
Harry said: “Tragically, the attack at London’s Borough Market so shortly after the Manchester bombing meant that the song could no longer be exclusively about Manchester and so Two Cities was born. Based on Trevor’s original poem, Two Cities is a defiant tribute to the spirit of those affected by the events.”
Since recording the song, Harry has organised a charity music night to launch it at the St Nicholas Tavern, which will take place on Friday, October 6, from 7.45pm. All are welcome to attend.
A number of local musicians and bands will be performing a selection of songs for free in the hope of raising money to help terror victims.
Harry added: “While these events happened a number of months ago, it’s important to remember that for those lives affected it will remain with them for a very long time – if not forever. This is why Dakota Smile, Harry and Trevor Stokes, and the musicians participating in the charity night are trying to help.”
The song will be available for download on iTunes and other music platforms in the next few days under the title Two Cities for £2.
It was recorded at Soundview Studios in Stevenage.
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