Concert for Africadrums up support

Nyodema '“ helping others in the African language of Mandinka '“ lived up to its name on bank holiday Monday.

The 12 hours of global live music and a DJ, drum and gospel singing workshops, a Gambian craft stall and photographic exhibition proved a success.

Festival chairman Shelagh Hamilton and secretary Kathryn Burrington saw their hard work putting together the programme justified by the response.

Several hundred people were estimated to have visited the Hotham Arts Centre during the festival.

Shelagh said: 'The outcome of the festival has been absolutely brilliant. We will be able to buy 250 mosquito nets and other equipment for the children at the nursery school we are supporting in The Gambia.

'We will also be able to purchase items for the local clinic once we know what they want.

'Because the day went so well, we will definitely hold a Nyodema mark two. We will choose a number of causes, some in Africa and some local, so that people across the globe are aware of each other's needs.

'We believe in helping others rather than ourselves.'

Bognor residents Shelagh and Kathryn frequently travel to The Gambia and have supported good causes in the country for some time.

The festival attracted a line-up which included the steel band Cool Drummings, local band Darwin, the Gambian dance troupe Abaraka and ska band Hakuna Pesa as well as headliners Planetman and the Internationalz playing reggae and roots.

Entry was free with a small charge for the drum and percussion workshops.

The festival was backed by the Hotham Arts Centre, The Gambia Experience, Sussex Litho Ltd, Channels4Results and Healthworks Clinics.