A major charity concert featuring some of the top names in Huddersfield music will be livestreamed worldwide.

The event at Lindley Methodist Church on Saturday, May 16, will by compered by well-known Huddersfield music leader and singer Thom Meredith and feature Marsh Ladies Choir (pictured above), Huddersfield Men’s Voices, deaf musician Paul Whittaker OBE and his amazing Musical Hands Singing Choir (below).

It will be shown live on Zoom so anyone can watch it anywhere in the world.

It’s been organised by church member Raj Beadle, a businessman from Edgerton who operates one of the world’s most iconic coffee brands – Gaggia coffee machines – in the UK.

He’s been managing director for Gaggia UK and Ireland’s domestic operations for 30 years, based on the Lowfields Business Park in Elland.

The company has sponsored the concert which is now known as the Gaggia Charity Concert as part of celebrations marking 75 years of the Gaggia coffee brand in the UK.

The day will begin with a morning community event at Lindley Methodist Community Centre where local groups will host stalls and refreshments.

Visitors can enjoy coffee, cakes, music and community activities with espresso coffee prepared using traditional Gaggia machines.

Proceeds from the concert will support children’s education, particularly in Kenya, continuing a project that has helped young people access schooling and higher education over the past two decades.

People will be asked to pay £10 to watch the concert on Zoom with all the money going to the charity.

If people would prefer to help their own charities they can do that too. They can livestream the concert for £20 to two or more people but can also charge anyone else who attends their venue to raise money for their own charity.

The 40-strong Huddersfield Men’s Voices – formerly Gledholt Male Voice Choir (pictured below) – has been singing in Huddersfield for 78 years and has a wide repertoire which includes songs from popular musicals and operas through to traditional Welsh hymns.

Marsh Ladies Choir also has around 40 singers and has been going for 70 years with a mix of musical styles from classical and folk to swing, jazz and songs from the shows.

Musician Paul Whittaker has been deaf all his life. A pianist and organist, he has a music degree from Wadham College, Oxford, and for 27 years ran a charity helping deaf people access music. He was awarded an OBE for services to music in 2007.

His Musical Hands Signing Choir has deaf and hearing members who both sing and use sign language at the same time.

Thom Meredith (above), who has a reputation as a fine baritone soloist, will be both the compere and soloist at the concert.

After four years as Head of Music at Colne Valley High School, he joined the staff of Kirklees Music School – now Musica Kirklees – in September 1999 as assistant principal.

He was appointed principal in 2004 and championed the cause of young people’s music making over the years until stepping down in August 2023. In 2000 Thom formed and conducted the Kirklees Youth Symphony Orchestra which is now called Musica Youth Orchestra.

Thom has been Colne Valley Male Voice Choir’s musical director since 1989, is musical director for the Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir and, as a freelance musician, is now regularly in demand to adjudicate and lead vocal workshops, singing days and choral courses nationwide.

The concert starts at 2.30pm on Saturday, May 16, and to buy tickets go to https://www.gaggiadirect.com/gala-concert.html

The capacity for the church is 200 and tickets are £10.