A Monthly Publication

SATURDAY 10th APRIL, 7pm 

UNION CHURCH, HUNSTANTON

By Chris Gutteridge

Hunstanton Concert Band is raising funds to help Becky Palmer buy a state-of-the-art prosthetic hand and forearm and we are holding a fund raising concert on Satuday 7th April at the Union Church in Westgate when we will be playing a wide variety of pieces from light classics to ABBA.

 Becky has been principal trombone of the band since she joined us in 2007. Becky has never let the fact that she was born without a right hand stop her doing what she wanted. Using the basic National Health supplied hands, which have one simple gripping action, she plays trombone, piano, guitar and trumpet, and is a keen and competitive tennis and squash player.

 She was principal trombone of the National Schools Symphony Orchestra for two years and whilst at the University of Reading, conducted the University Concert Band.

 Last year, she captained the winning Ladies City League Division 3 tennis team, won the Glebe House tennis tournament, and was in the winning team of the Castle Acre Mixed League.

 Becky is a primary school teacher, specializing in music, and also teaches music privately. She also works at Corders Budgens in Fakenham.

 However, one of the hands she uses is operated by pulling a cord with the left hand , and the other, which is electronically powered, frequently breaks down. Both are heavy, unwieldy and unsightly.

 The i-limb hand, costing around £9000 has individual movement in all four fingers and the thumb, and a rotating wrist, all electronically controlled by the muscles of the forearm. This would give Becky far more control of her trombone slide, allow her to play the piano much more naturally, and looks wonderfully natural and realistic. Also, Becky says, it would allow her to use a knife and fork to eat (at present when eating out she has to select very carefully from the menu) and give her more control when walking her dog!

 Any excess funds raised by this appeal will be donated to registered charity, The Limbless Association.

 Tickets £5 in advance from Witley’s Newsagents in the High Street or £6 on the door. Refreshments provided.