One Night For Norma

Many readers will be aware that Norma Waterson has been critically ill in hospital for the past three months. Last November, towards the end of the brilliant 'Gift' tour, Norma got an infection in her knee. She went to the closest hospital, Warrington, where they prescribed strong antibiotics, to be taken as an in-patient. Two days later she was on dialysis and a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit. Our dear Norma had been in the ICU for 11 weeks! with Martin by her side, loving her and making sure she is getting all the necessary attention.

She has at last been moved to an ordinary ward, but the journey back to normality will be a long climb; of course if she could climb there'd be no problem, but after 12 weeks in bed there's not much of her body that has any muscle power at all. And having had a tracheostomy in her throat for most of that time, she's not even talking or eating normally yet.

One Night for Norma
Norma Waterson is one of the most influential figures of the folk revival, first with the Watersons then Waterson:Carthy and in her own right - becoming a Mercury Prize nominee for her solo album 'Bright Shiny Morning'. Norma was awarded the OBE in 2003.

However, she has been seriously ill and unable to work and this concert, featuring a variety of guests for whom Norma has great significance in their own work, is a benefit concert for her.

Line up

MC: Linda Thompson

Artists:
Bella Hardy
Emily Portman
Sandra Kerr
Alistair Anderson
Jez Lowe
Vin Garbutt
Margaret Watchorn
Andy May

The concert was a huge success and was recorded for release later in the year. Gonzo Multimedia's MD Rob Ayling was instrumental in recording this concert which will be released to raise money for Norma:

"When we shot Norma, Martin Carthy and Elizas band in December last year at the Union Chapel for a DVD and I thought she was fantastic so when this benefit gig was set up locally to I knew I had to get involved".