EastEnders star Shane Ritchie supports Cree Studio’s Christmas recording
Written by author on December 7, 2010
‘Christmas and Friendship’ by Creesound is a CD/DVD produced at Cree Studio. Involving people with autism or learning disabilities in all aspects of music and short film production, the lyrics, composition, artwork, recording and filming were all done by people who go to the Council’s Activity & Resource Centre. The CD (£3) and CD/DVD boxed set(£6) will retail at various outlets across Dumfries and Galloway. The recordings will also be available for download.
The film features local families and scenes of Newton Stewart in addition to the work of the studio and recording in progress. Shane Richie (currently appearing as the character Alfie Moon on Eastenders) is very interested in the work of the Studio. He has recorded a personal message of support from himself and the cast of Eastenders which you can hear on the CD and DVD. He said, “I’m so sorry I can’t be with you all up there in south west Scotland as I’m currently pulling pints in the Queen Vic here in Walford. But I’m so happy to hear about the work you’re all doing in Dumfries and Galloway’s Cree Studio. “Now – I know you’ve all been very busy recording and filming your new CD and DVD ‘Christmas and Friendship’ which I’ve heard is a really exciting project. So to everyone in Newton Stewart, and especially to Amanda, Alexander, the Cree Singers and the studio film crew, I’m sending this message of support and wish you every success this Christmas and for the future, from myself (Shane) and everybody at Eastenders.
Keep the music and short films coming – See ya!” Initially funded by The People’s Postcode Trust, the studio was opened in March this year by Galloway’s well known singer Mona Stewart. Since then it has expanded rapidly to include the wider community and now regularly involves seventeen young people and delivers music workshops for local schools, providing a recording base for professional musicians and learning opportunities for anyone who just wants to try making music or short films for the first time. With continuing support from Dumfries and Galloway Council and Turning Point Scotland, the studio looks set to expand further in the New Year as recording and short film requests and professional music/film interest continue to grow. Alexander Murray, who helped to write the song with backing vocals by Cree Singers said: ‘I wanted to write about all the important things which Christmas means.
Leading vocalist, Amanda Knight from Stranraer, whose lifelong ambition has been to make a CD said: ‘It has been my dream come true; I have been singing since I was ten years old, and I hope soon to make an album. I would like one day to help and teach other people to sing.’ Dave Bleasdale of Turning Point Scotland: ‘This is an amazing resource for people who use our service and for the community. People who help at the Studio say how proud they are to be a part of it.’ Councillor John Dougan, Chair of Social Work Services Committee, said, ‘ This is a very special project run from the Council’s Activity & Resource Centre to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and to help them develop their creative film and music skills.’
You can buy downloads from https://sslrelay.com/mega-media.co.uk/shop/category_15/Creesound.html Available to buy across local retail outlets
You can also purchase from: Dumfries & Galloway Council, ARC Newton Stewart @ Activity & Resource Centre, King Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6DQ
Contact Beth.Bleasdale@dumgal.gov.uk or Gavin.Wilson@dumgal.gov.uk phone 01671 403483
Cheques are made payable to Dumfries and Galloway Council.
