A local samba reggae drumming band have marked their 20th year in their own inimitable style.
Batala Lancaster are well known for their ‘adventure drumming’, and to mark their 20th anniversary, over the weekend 30 members of the tropp, joined by members of Batala Mersey, Batala Bangor, Batala Manchester and Batala Austria, carried their drums up from Kirkstone Pass to Stony Cove Pike, where they performed above the Lakeland Fells.
This was the band’s eighth mountain drumming adventure and a repeat of the hike the band first did in 2015 with 100 Batala drummers from around the world as part of the Batala Encontro.
Batala Lancaster’s mountain adventures first started in 2011 when members carried their drums 24 miles to drum at the top of the three peaks for charity. Since then, the band has completed six more challenges, including drumming at the top of Helvellyn and in the waters of Ingleton waterfalls.
Gordon Fletcher, who has been a member of the band since 2009 and has been the driving force behind the band’s adventure drumming, said: “We have become known in the Batala world for our drumming adventures, so we couldn’t let our 20th birthday pass without strapping our drums to our backs and climbing up a mountain to feel on top of the world as we celebrate amongst the swirling winds and clouds!’’
Later in the year, the band are performing at Lancaster Castle as part of Lancaster Music Festival and will be bringing their largest-ever band to the city.
More than 50 Lancaster drummers will be joined by Batala drummers from around the UK to form a 100-strong band. They have the honour of headlining World Music Day, performing at Lancaster Castle at 12:30 and 14:00.
Manda Johnson-Holme, a member of Batala Lancaster since 2006 and one of the anniversary event organising team, said: “We always enjoy playing at Lancaster Music Festival.
‘’It has an amazing atmosphere and is a brilliant event to be part of, but to be able to perform at the Castle and headline World Music Day on our anniversary year promises to be something really special.
We’d like to thank the Duchy and Lancaster Music Festival for allowing us to make this happen.”
Appeal launched to help save Morecambe sports and social club
Reopening date announced after Morecambe Jobcentre closes for repairs
Lancaster charity urges residents to know how they’re affected by Renters' Rights Act
Lancaster district residents urged to check their details as annual electoral canvass begins
E-bikes and e-scooters seized during police crackdown on Lancaster cycle track
Four vehicles involved in road collision in Carnforth
LISTEN: Popular vlog tells story of couple's second-hand bookshop dream in Morecambe
Emergency team in Silverdale receives donation of life-saving kits
MP offers support to staff after Morecambe FC reported to The Pensions Regulator
Track night at Lancaster sports club to launch police safety scheme for women and girls
PHOTOS: Live music day to raise funds for homeless people in Lancaster hailed as huge success
Former bank turned live music venue in Morecambe to reopen under new management
New parking system set to launch at Royal Lancaster Infirmary
Museum in Lancaster up for award launched by TV historian David Olusoga
MP fights for refunds after Heysham medical centre patients get parking fines in error
Two teenagers arrested after car stolen during Hest Bank burglary
Parents demand further action after health watchdog probe into asbestos complaints at Lancaster school
LISTEN: Lancaster medical students praised for helping man who collapsed
Man arrested on Morecambe beach after report of assault
Police probe burglaries in villages near Carnforth
