Hattie Briggs makes surprise appearance at Leighton's Oxjam festival

Leighton is still abuzz as Oxjam brings song, dance and smiles to shoppers and residents round the town. And the good news is the party isn't over yet.
Singer songwriter Hattie Briggs (left) with cellist Jasmine Scott Neale (right) and Jasmine's grandmother Cynthia ScottSinger songwriter Hattie Briggs (left) with cellist Jasmine Scott Neale (right) and Jasmine's grandmother Cynthia Scott
Singer songwriter Hattie Briggs (left) with cellist Jasmine Scott Neale (right) and Jasmine's grandmother Cynthia Scott

On Thursday (March 23) the big band sound of Woburn Jazz is coming to the Conservative Club in High Street from 8pm. It’s free entry with a collection for Oxjam.

And on Saturday everyone will be really rocking with no less than four gigs from which to choose.

The Leighton-Linslade Music Centre Spring Concert – showcasing local talent with musicians of all ages and abilities – takes place at Vandyke Upper School from 11am. Free entry and a retiring collection for Oxjam.

The Mavron String Quartet will play at the Leighton Buzzard Music Club concert at Leighton Buzzard Theatre at 7.30pm. Their repertoire includes music by Dmitri Shostakovich, Mark Slater and Alexander Borodin and there will be a retiring collection. Call the Box Office for tickets on 0300 300 8125.

Five-piece band Blues Before Midnight are at Grove Lock from 8.30pm, adding their own distinctive flavour to a selection of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll.

Last but not least Heroes Journey at The Crown, North Street, features classic rock with songs by Bon Jovi, UFO, Pink Floyd and many more from 9pm.

And lucky customers at The Duke in Heath and Reach had a musical treat when singer songwriter Hattie Briggs made an appearance with cellist Jasmine Scott Neale.

Jasmine, who grew up in Leighton, is the daughter of legendary Kajagoogoo keyboard player Stuart Coxford Neale. And the gig was organised in secret by her mum, Katherine Mockett, as a surprise for Jasmine’s grandmother, Cynthia Scott, who was at the pub with Katherine’s American nephew Clive Mead and his wife Marta.

They’d been keen to see Hattie live and were delighted with the performance. Clive said afterwards: “It’s something I’ll never forget.”

Hattie and Jasmine will be back in Leighton at 2pm on April 22, at Black Circle Records in Hockliffe Street at the invitation of owner David Kosky. They’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of Record Store Day and

performing songs from Hattie’ second album Young Runawayand. They will be followed by The Black Feathers.

> More info at www.oxjamleightonbuzzard.org.uk