The First Tenants, Guests and Contributors, Started Coming Out. (P2 and 3)

Dragan Cvejic 7 Bishop Way Impington, CB24 9LA [email protected] 01223234977 07921377413

Sunday, 07/06/14, was a generally nice, sunny day until 5.45pm when the light rain threatened a pre-arranged Garden Party and Concert of Broken Diamonds for the tenants of 1-15 Bishop way in Impington.

Luckily, the rain stopped just at the right time for preparation of the concert. (p1), so the preparation could go ahead.

The first tenants, guests and contributors, started coming out. (p2 and 3) A short musical introduction by only three band members entertain the audience, while they started chatting, laughing and generally enjoying being together. (P4 and 5)

Preparation of light snack and drinks was still going on while the band started to catch the pace. Soon the event kicked of in a full lights and the tenants started slowly joining in with the rare songs they recognised and could sing with the band. The gypsy style music was something new and unusual, but was very much enjoyed both by tenants and the band members. Some tenants saw their chance to join in and started with their preparation while the majority just relaxed and enjoyed being together.

Than, when ready, they joined the band. It was so nice to see that the community spirit prevailed and demonstrated that people can be together, can sing together and, with very little efforts maintain this spirit high. Now, we could see all the benefits of the communal garden and provisions made by the Housing Society that everybody benefited from.

And the moment came. A tenant who loves music and socialising stood up and bravely joined the band.

Her performance was brilliant and showed that we are real neighbours and can share so much. Who knows, the band might be extended in the future with another singer from the close neighbourhood. But what matters, was that the audience really enjoyed. Concert would not be a proper concert if it did not provide an opportunity to chat, to speak to each other, to share snacks and drinks and appreciate contribution of everyone, not only from those who initiated the event, but absolutely everyone who came.

One of the tenants was even promoted to a “Catering Manager” of the event.

It was the atmosphere that was so attractive, so communal, so neighbouring that proved how little we all need to show that we do appreciate each other, our friends and neighbours. It is a real shame that Cambridge community radio 105 could not send their reporter to the event. After refreshment everyone came back to their places to enjoy more music…

…still chatting and make this event a real community achievement. Music continued after the break…

Broken Diamonds really enjoyed this performance as well as the tenants. As the event was brought to the end, with full respect for residents and tenants who were unable to attend, or wanted to have an early night, the music stopped at 8.30, but with the promise that there will be more similar events in the future.

Dragan (tenant at No 7, and Broken Diamonds member) and all band members and tenants from 1-15 Bishop Way, Impington with their guests. Thank you to the Housing Society that provided such a lovely place, our communal garden, where this even and potentially many others could take place in the future.