Citizens Advice concert hits all the right notes
November 2025 saw Citizens Advice Leighton Linslade (CALL) reach their golden anniversary, having first opened their doors to the local community back in 1975.
Most people have heard of Citizens Advice, but many are unaware that they are a registered charity who are totally reliant on funding and a small army of volunteers to provide free information and confidential advice on a range of issues. These include: benefits, debts, relationships, employment, housing, bereavement and consumer queries.
It should therefore not be a surprise that it was the local musical community, businesses, St Barnabas church and a lot of local public supporters that stepped up to help to raise some much-needed funds with a memorable musical celebration concert recently.
The concert, that raised a very welcome £2,500, would not have been possible without the musical support of the Leighton-Linslade Gala Orchestra who deliver high-standard light musical and modern classical music as well as a world premiere of a specially written new piece, “CALL for a fanfare”. Also supporting the evening were the wonderful voices of Chanteuses, who bring together talented upper voice singers from the local area who specialise in presenting a contemporary arrangement of a wide genre of world music.
Kash Prashad, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Leighton Linslade said “It was a great night and really wonderful to see all the support we have in our local community. The performers from the Gala Orchestra and Chanteuses have been so generous giving up their time to rehearse and perform on what was such a special evening. As a small independent charity, fundraising events like these are vital to raise money and awareness of the work we do for Leighton Linslade and we’re very grateful to all who came and helped us raise such an outstanding amount of money.”
Over the years CALL has seen many changes in terms of both the emphasis on the problems they are being asked to resolve, as well as the complexity of those concerns, which now require increasing levels of expertise and a longer time frame to resolve.
There are plans to continue to mark this significant anniversary during 2026, so watch out for more news on additional events and see how you can help support CALL in the future, as to continue their work, means constantly raising funds and donations.
To help CALL to support our local community and to continue their work, please consider a donation by visiting www.leightonlinsladecab.org.uk/donate as any amount, no matter how small, will assist them to continue to support the local Leighton Linslade community in the future.