Residents in Blackfordby are being treated to a six song acoustic set from villager Mark Tamplin during the Clap for Our Carers tribute each Thursday.

As our video shows, Mark appears with his neighbours each week and goes through a series of songs designed to lift spirits during the Coronavirus lockdown.

Mark says the weekly 'gig' makes up for the fact that he cannot play his regular open mic pub nights at the moment.

"I'm just a self-taught person, I usually play at the Bull's Head open mic in Rosliston. But obviously the pubs are shut at the moment so I haven't been able to do that," he explained.

"It's a bit of a release on a Thursday night to play a few tunes. I'm on the corner of Hall Close and Ashby Lane, I've got the two roads either side of me, it's quite a close-knit community around here in Blackfordby.

"I just decided a couple of weeks ago that if I can't go out and play in the pubs I'll do it here, and it's gone on from there.

"I've had loads of nice messages from people saying I'm cheering everybody up, it's great for spirit and whatever at the moment,

"It makes a difference for everyone at the moment, and for me too, I'm getting to chat to more people as well."

advertisement

Mark says it fits in well with the village where a pop-up shop has also been set up during the lockdown, as reported on Ashby Nub News last week, New Pop Up Shop To Be Set Up in Blackfordby

"It gives me some relief as well. I started it the week before, I do different songs to what I do the first week, and I've got more ones lined up for next week. I did six last week," added Mark.

"It's good for community spirit and the two streets are like a family around here. There are lots of little things that go on in the village."