Greenway Social Distancing Band

The Greenway Social Distancing Band is the highlight of the week for local residents, for players and listeners. Founded by music teacher Nyree O’Brien, the multi-generational band is comprised of families from Greenway in Berkhamsted. Parents dust off instruments to play alongside their children, aged from five upwards. Founded at the beginning of lockdown to celebrate carers on a Thursday evening, each week they take it in turns to select uplifting songs, practicing once a week at a safe distance behind a row of garages. When the band performs in the street, the music reverberates around the local area, amplified by the stillness of lockdown. Neighbours are drawn to the sound, residents gather to listen and enjoy the music, and children make new friendships while building confidence and self-esteem.

The group continues to grow from strength to strength; they have now been put forward for TV and press coverage for the NHS birthday celebrations and the photograph below of Nyree and the band has been entered into the Duchess of Cambridge photo competition to document lockdown life in the UK.

Well done to all involved!