Former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman will join Yardley’s Creative Spirit Show, an event recognising local achievements in creativity, community activity and neighbourhood projects.
The event takes place at Dovehouse Theatre, Langley School, Kineton Green Road, Solihull, on Saturday 3 October, from 7-9 pm.
The programme includes performances from local musicians and dancers and will highlight the community campaign to protect Barrows Lane Fields, the area’s last remaining green space for organised sport, leisure and community use.
Supported by the Yardley Neighbourhood Network Scheme (YNNS), facilitated by Birmingham Disability Resource Centre, and the National Lottery Community Fund, the Creative Spirit Show is a collaboration between Yardley Community Protection Society (YCPS) and The Conies, a Yardley‑based children’s safety charity for which Rick Wakeman is an ambassador.
Wakeman, a CBE recipient and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, will give a short performance during the event. His six‑decade career has included work with Yes, David Bowie and Cat Stevens, alongside more than 100 solo albums.
He said:
I am looking forward to being part of the Creative Spirit Show. Creativity has always driven my music, and it is encouraging to see that reflected in Yardley – from the work to protect Barrows Lane Fields to the activities supporting children through The Conies.
Fay Goodman, Chair of YCPS, said:
We are pleased to have Rick Wakeman join us as we mark the progress made in safeguarding Barrows Lane Fields from private development. This has been achieved through the efforts of residents, volunteers and partner organisations including Arts in the Field, Yardley Preservation Society and Sport England.
She added:
Our next step is to secure ownership of the site and develop it as a long‑term community asset.
The event will also acknowledge the work of The Conies, founded in 2014 and awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service this year. The charity uses its traffic‑cone characters to support safety education for children. Its latest programme, Conies Safe Explorers, provides free workshops combining music, art and safety learning for children aged 4–11, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Masamune Dojo will also be represented at the event. The organisation has recently launched Shefuay personal safety and wellbeing sessions, including self‑defence, tai chi, yoga, tessen fan and body‑and‑mind activities. The free sessions are led by Goodman, a 7th Dan in Iaido and 6th Dan in Jodo, with support from specialist trainers.
Goodman said:
These sessions form part of our wider aim to support health, wellbeing and quality of life within the Yardley community.
Tickets for the Creative Spirit Show are £25 (£15 concessions), available direct from Dovehouse Theatre, and must be purchased in advance.
Issued on behalf of YCPS by SHPR (Simon Hale/ simon@simonhalepr.co.uk. Fay Goodman can be reached at fay@goodmedia.co.uk and on 07976 426463
