A Cockermouth band has recorded a charity single that is due to be released internationally in aid of the Cumbria Flood Appeal.

The band, ESP, with the support of Kirkgate Arts Centre in the town, recorded a moving version of Over the Rainbow this weekend to help individuals and businesses affected by the recent flooding that devastated communities across the county.

The charity single was recorded at Driftwood Studios in Penrith on Saturday 28 November and produced by Jon Hart, who provided his services free of charge. It is due to be released digitally by Eden Records on all major download sites, and will be available for download on ‘iTunes’ from Wednesday 2 December 2009. All profits from the sale of the track are for the flood appeal.
Ditto Music, the company that is handling the release, has also made the track available via mobile phone networks. To download the track direct to your mobile, text Track Cumbria M to 83262 or to purchase the track via SMS text Track Cumbria to 83262. This provides an internet link via SMS and the track costs £1.
The cause is very close to the heart of ESP drummer, Jack Davies, who lost his home in the flood. Despite the difficult circumstances, he still found time to perform with ESP at a social event for those affected by the floods at the Kirkgate Art Centre and was able to record the song on Saturday.

39-yr-old Jack is accompanied in ESP by Phil Curzon, 45, on lead guitar, 42-yr-old Simon Davies on bass, and the track is sung by Sam Millar, 41, a former police officer with Cumbria Constabulary. All four band members are currently teachers in West Cumbria.

Sam said: “We decided to record ‘Over the Rainbow’ because of the optimism it signifies after the rain. The whole of West Cumbria has been pulling together after the recent floods, and we wanted to do whatever we can to help. We all live in the area and have seen the devastation for ourselves but also the real sense of community. Everyone in the area either has been, or knows someone who has been affected by the extreme weather – and the tragic death of PC Bill Barker.”

“Hopefully, by bringing something positive to the local community and doing our bit to help, we can enable people from all over the world to show their support for this worthy cause.”

Contact Bob Pritchard at Kirkgate Arts Centre in Cockermouth for further details: 01900 829966.
To donate direct to the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund, see www.cumbriafoundation.org/