*Enfield Community Orchestra performing at Christ Church URC in Chase Side, before the pandemic*

Enfield Community Orchestra trustee Hayley Butchart on how a series of quiz nights has helped support local charities

Enfield Community Orchestra is an amateur orchestra based in Enfield. Apart from making music, we like to focus on supporting the local community, which we usually do by providing concerts for local residents to come along and enjoy.

Unfortunately, performing concerts at the moment is impossible. So instead, we have decided to find other ways to support the local community during this strange and uncertain time. As a charity ourselves, we understand the strain that this current time has had, especially to those services which are important in helping vulnerable people.

Adrian Bullock and I, both trustees of Enfield Community Orchestra, have been hosting a virtual charity quiz night every Tuesday at 7.30pm, supporting a different charity in Enfield each week.

So far we have supported Age UK Enfield, North Enfield Foodbank, Citizens Advice Enfield, Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service, Mind Enfield, and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice. A total of over £1,000 has been raised during these events.

It was after running this series of successful quiz nights for our members during lockdown that we thought it would be a great idea to open up this fun and enjoyable social event to a wider audience – and at the same time raise some money for other charities in Enfield that are in need of help during this crisis.

We have had a fantastic response from participants who have said that Tuesday evenings are the “highlight of their week” and they are thrilled to be able to support so many different charities in Enfield during this difficult time.

Our membership is diverse with players from all different walks of life. We all share the universal language of music-making under the leadership of our inspirational conductor Eddie Morgan. Even during the lockdown we have enjoyed musical challenges, which have kept us inspired and motivated. However, we are still longing for the day when we can all practise together and, more importantly, perform for our audience again!

We are looking forward to meeting some new members, as we have had some enquiries from local people who have decided to start playing once more. We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has joined us in supporting these amazing local charities and in welcoming everyone back in the near future.

For more information about Enfield Community Orchestra and to get involved with one of their quiz nights:
Visit enfieldcommunityorchestra.co.uk

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