News Story Page

"Dogs Without Collars", the rock band consisting of five Vicars from Dorset are playing a concert in the Sealy Suite of the Crown Hotel in Blandford Forum, to raise money for the Blandford Parish Centre Project which will be opening on 27th February. This follows their successful concert there in January 2009. The management of the Crown Hotel in Blandford have again generously donated the use of the Sealy Suite for the evening so that all ticket proceeds can go towards the project, which is being run by Blandford Forum Parish Church (BFPC) to provide "a place where Church and Community meet".

Dogs Without Collars (or DWC) are a 5-piece band who play cover versions of rock and pop classics including "Hi Ho Silver Lining", "Rocking All Over the World", "Another Brick in The Wall" and assorted songs by people as diverse as The Beatles, Elton John and Oasis. DWC consists of Clive Thomas (Team Rector of Shaston) on Drums, Graham Perryman (Team Rector of the Melbury Team) on Keyboards, Geoff Boland (Team Vicar in Canford Magna) on Guitar and Vocals, Laurie Clow (Team Vicar at Hampreston) on Bass Guitar and Tim Storey (Rector of Blandford Forum) on Guitar and Vocals.

DWC formed in 2005 after some of the clergy concerned were involved in providing musical worship at a Diocesan Conference. Since then they have played for a variety of private and public functions including birthday parties, Church events and the Wimborne Folk Festival, raising over £5000 in 2009 for an assortment of local charities and churches. Guitarist and vocalist Tim Storey, said "People take a while to the sight of five vicars playing "Tiger Feet" or "Dancing Queen" as it is not quite what people expect from the clergy. Dogs Without Collars gigs aim to be immense fun but also aims to send out the message that Christians are like everyone else and enjoy music." The concert at the Sealy Suite is on Friday 22nd January, at 7.30pm and tickets, priced £5 for Adults and £3 for under 16s are available from The Parish Office (from 9.30am to 12noon weekdays at the back of the Parish Church) and Set Fair 4 Trade in Salisbury Street.

---

The details from the Gig ...

The Dogs were back in town and over 120 turned up to see us on a foul night (it always is when we gig in Blandford) and were treated to new songs such as "Sweet Home Alabama" (how does that end?) and "Something" (the solo was nearly right) and "Don't Stop" (to finish with - how ironic is that ....?) The tombola offered such gems as tiny chocolate Santas - people who come to our gigs know how to live! And nearly £800 was raised for the Blandford Parish Centre Project.

Thanks Jess for the pics