'Too enthusiastic' Burnley dementia singing group made homeless

Crossroads Care East Lancashire held therapeutic music workshops for dementia sufferers and their carers at the new Moorhouses conference centre.

But the award-winning brewery called time on the singing sessions after just two weeks of a trial and told the 20 members they must practice elsewhere.

John Rattigan, a trustee at Crossroads Care, was very disappointed and fears the group may not be able to find a new home.

He said: “We have been running classes at Moorhouses for the past two weeks but apparently our singing group was ‘a little too enthusiastic’. They were not being raucous or rowdy – they are just elderly people with dementia having a sing song.

“It was just that the members were enjoying themselves singing but Moorhouses have called time on it.”

David Grant, managing director of the Accrington Road-based brewery, said he supported the work of the charity but admitted that the singing sessions had been “disruptive” to his business.

He said: “It was only a probation period and everyone knew it was on a trial basis. The 20 people were enjoying themselves but it was disruptive to my colleagues here who couldn’t do their jobs effectively.

“It was as simple as the trial did not work out. We were doing something for charity to help them out but it didn’t work and became disruptive to the business.”

He added: “I hope they find a venue that is more suited to them like a church hall or social centre.”

Mr Rattigan said Crossroads Care was frantically trying to find a new venue but so far had had no luck.

He said: “We want more people to join the group because of the benefits it offers people with dementia. The sessions allow the carer to have two hours to see them in a different light.

Anyone who can help can called Crossroads Care East Lancashire on 832548.