Swing into 2026 with Metz Big Band for Sue Ryder

Southsea

Saturday 31 January 2026

Metz Big Band will strike up the music on Saturday 31 January 2026 with a special charity concert at Dowty Sports & Social in Gloucester. The event will raise funds for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, where former band member and long standing Sue Ryder volunteer John Clayton received care at the end of his life.

The band was founded by John 21 years ago and has since grown into a 17-piece ensemble based in Cheltenham. Known for its lively mixture of favourites from Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington to modern classics spanning swing and rock, Metz Big Band regularly entertains audiences at venues including Cheltenham Playhouse, Bands in the Park in Cheltenham, Cirencester and Ross-on-Wye. All proceeds from the evening will go directly to Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, Gloucestershire’s only inpatient unit for specialist palliative care.

 

 

Band member Steve Leary said: “John did a lot for Sue Ryder, and he also set up the band, so this is a concert in his memory. He chose all the music for the programme just before he died, so we are both honouring and celebrating his life.”

Mary Rawson, a fellow band member who knew John for over 20 years, reflected on their shared history: “We met playing together in a previous band, but once John retired, he decided to start his own. The band began small and grew from there. John organised everything - I remember his dining room was always full of our music!

“We started raising money for Sue Ryder because of John’s wife Pauline who volunteered in the hospice gardens. When she became ill, she was supported by Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice at the end of her life. John found Sue Ryder such a support after Pauline died. He benefited so much from the help they gave him, and that’s why he wanted to give back.”

 

Audiences can expect toe tapping Big Band classics, including special arrangements written by fellow band member Geoff Bowles, who was also John’s saxophone teacher. Steve said: “There will be a few emotional moments on the night, as everything has been chosen either by John or with him in mind.”
As well as his musical accomplishments, John was a dedicated volunteer at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. Mary explained: “John was so generous with his time. He even took on the role of Father Christmas for Sue Ryder every year, growing his beard from September so he really looked the part.”

Alysia Cameron-Price, Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone in the Metz Big Band for continuing to support Sue Ryder. John was such an important and valued member of the team here and is greatly missed. The concert will be a special evening, and all the money raised will ensure we are able to keep supporting people like John and their families at the most difficult time in their lives.”

For more information about Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice visit: sueryder.org/leckhampton

 

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More details about Swing into 2026 with Metz Big Band for Sue Ryder (External Link)

 

Sue Ryder - Leckhampton Court Hospice

Gloucestershire's only residential hospice.

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