Roe Valley Musicians bring busking back to Limavady

Festive musical entertainment in Limavady town centre was welcomed by Christmas shoppers as new music collective Roe Valley Musicians belted out seasonal classics in aid of Dementia NI.

The emerging group, recently set up by music teacher Robin Quigley, began playing for fun, practice and with a community spirited aim of raising funds for a chosen charity via busking and gigging.

Dementia NI was the charity which the group collectively decided that they would raise money for during the end of 2024 and throughout 2025.

Braving a cold and blustery market street for their first evening of busking amongst Christmas shoppers, the generous collective raised £131.96 for the charity on November 28.

Robin expressed his delight at seeing Roe Valley Musicians spring into action for a good cause at Christmas: “Myself and a few like-minded musicians used to play a lot together before Covid and Covid really put a hush on this, especially for live music as people weren’t able to meet with each other.

“One of the big pushes that I had in bringing the group together was getting musicians back and talking and playing together.

“So, a few of the people who are in the group had mentioned to me that they really wanted to start playing again, and with the encouragement of my partner and work as a music teacher, it gave us a push to work together and succeed in playing music together.

“I really wanted it to be non-profit and raising money for one specific charity a year, sometimes smaller groups can spread themselves thin and we wanted to make a big dip in the puddle not multiple splashes!

“We democratically voted for a charity to raise money for this year, up until October next year and Dementia NI represented the majority after we all had put in a pitch.

“The plan is to play music out and about as the main aim of the group is to bring back music again after Covid and do some good by raising money for charity.”

“We hit late night shopping in the town, as it is a busier time in the town and we all like that hallmark moment, when we are out Christmas shopping and hear some music playing, have a sing-along and raise a bit of cheer!

“I then played a solo set in the Yellow Bird café and that was another one of our aims – we have quite a few friends in the town who are very supportive of people playing in their coffee shops and establishments because they themselves used to go to music nights and are great music lovers.

“People in town have been very supportive and we raised £131.96, which in one night of busking is amazing!”

Robin said the group planned to busk on selected Saturdays approaching Christmas depending upon weather conditions, and may congregate in a local café if inclement weather is predicted.

Robin is determined that their contribution to Dementia NI will be significant over the year and spoke of their fundraising goals: “The idea is to raise to a set target, although it is for fun, and it is loads of fun, we also want to raise a decent amount of money to give to a charity to put a bit of good back in.”

The group currently has a dozen members and rehearses in the Roe Valley Residents Association, who kindly offered a place for the group to practice for free, on Wednesdays from 8.45pm – 10.30pm.

Robin was grateful to RVRA for their generous contribution: “With the non-profit aspect of this, it’s amazing that they are able to give us a space to practice in and it doesn’t cost members anything.

“I don’t want cost to be prohibitive, especially as musicians were out of work after Covid, and we just want to raise money and have a bit of fun doing it! Any money we get in the bucket will go straight to the charity!”

Although at present the group are focusing upon Christmas music, their music represents a cross-section, characterising the group members of all ages, from teens to their 60s.

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Robin emphasised everyone was welcome, including singers as well as musicians and encouraged new members to come along and see what the collective is about.

“It is to support musicians of all levels, we have a range of music abilities, and we want to extend those who are accomplished musicians and reinforce those who need some foundation work with musical technique.”

Robin said his goal is to get the group out and playing in the streets as much as possible; he commented: “Limavady is such a beautiful market town; I grew up in Limavady as did most of the members and we have a real affinity for our town, we are very proud of it.

“The idea is that buzz that exists in Market Street on a Saturday morning only becomes better with a bit of culture and music, because it is a market town and Limavady has had that for generations, and even the story of Danny Boy is someone playing in the street.

“Personally, I would like to see by summertime a roster of coffee shop gigs, where people are sitting down, having a listen and raising some money for charity!

“The plan is to have that welcoming space, out in the Limavady town and the coffee shops, and really promote Limavady as a market town where live music happens!”