Band CD can go gold for hospice
(Herald Express 14/12/2006)
by Pete Bennett

GOOD FEELING: Above - Top party band, Mixed Feelings in action. Below Left - Jon Nicholls, front with band ready to party. Below Right- The Mixed Feeling's vocalists get together for some close harmony singing.

A Hemel Hempstead based band has produced a new album of classic tunes in time for Christmas, all in aid of the Hospice of St Francis.

Mixed Feelings, a ten-piece party and function band that has performed everywhere from Gleneagles in Scotland to The Dorchester Hotel in London, has released On-Stage a twelve track compilation that is guaranteed to get any New Year Party going.

Jon Nicholls, of Wootton Drive, manages the band and has also played bass since it formed in 1977.
He said: "I'm quite a long toothed band leader! It's really in the last 15 years we've become one of the top bands in Great Britain. We're described as a top show band and we've done celebrity weddings and lots of charity work."
"We're a mixed tribute band and we do costume tributes to bands like Abba, the Blues Brothers, Scissor Sisters, 70s soul and things like Luther Vandross. We're a fully professional band, it's all we do."

The band has given the hospice 1,000 copies of the CD to be sold in the hospice shops for £6 each and the band is also hoping to get other local shops to stock the disc in the run up to Christmas.
Jon said that he was keen to show his support for the hospice.
He said: "My mother died in a hospice and my family have been involved with hospices for the last few years. I have always thought it is a dignified way of leaving this life and the hospices of this country are grossly underfunded by the government.
"It seems a great pity that they should have to raise any money at all because it's a massively important part of our lives. Having seen the new Hospice of St Francis it really is something special and belongs to everybody."
By picking up a copy of Mixed Feelings CD people can make a difference at the new hospice.
Jon said: "It's got some good party tracks on there but there's also some very touching songs that we often get requested. All the money will be going to the hospice so if they sell 1000 it'll be great for them."

If you are interested in selling the CD for the hospice call the Hospice of St Francis on 01442 869550.

Christmas lights to bring cheer for charity

Seasonal cheer came to Marlins Turn, Hemel Hempstead last week when the Reeves family switched on their popular Christmas lights.

The Hemel Hempstead home has been an attraction to passers by for the past five years and each time donations have been requested for a particular charity.

This year the proceeds will again go to The Hospice of St Francis who benefited two years ago.
Jeanette Reeves said: "There is a notice in the garden.
"We ask people to make a donation by dropping it through our letter box.
"Each time we raise around £300 - that's about £1,500 so far."

The lights are switched on from about 4pm to 9pm during the week and at weekends are left on a little longer.
Anyone is invited to visit and make a contribution.