African beats for Acle church access appeal

The PanAfro Band will be performing a St Edmund's Church to raise money for the project to make the church step-free.

An afternoon of lively African music and community celebration is set to take place at St Edmund’s Church in Acle on Sunday 25th May 2025 at 3.30pm, as the PanAfro Band perform a special concert in support of the Access 4 Acle campaign.

The PanAfro Band brings together a group of musicians and singers, including keyboards, guitar, bass, trumpet, saxophone, percussion, and backing vocals. The group is fronted by Ugandan lead singer and dancer Perfect Bakashaba, and their performances are known for being upbeat, joyful and highly danceable—celebrating musical styles from across the African continent.

The concert will raise funds for a project to make the medieval church step-free and fully accessible, helping to ensure that all members of the local community, including those with limited mobility, can safely and comfortably attend services and events.

St Edmund’s, which dates back to medieval times, has become the focus of an ambitious restoration project following a serious incident in 2024, when a wheelchair user suffered injuries while using the church’s temporary ramp. The church has since commissioned a feasibility study and voted to raise the floor to its original height—restoring the ancient building and making it step-free.

Tickets are £10, which includes themed refreshments, and all proceeds will go directly to the church’s accessibility fund. The event promises to be a vibrant mix of music, fellowship and community spirit, set within one of Norfolk’s most historic churches.

For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Diane on 07969 341943 or email access4acle@gmail.com.
You can also follow the band on Facebook at facebook.com/panafroband



Photo supplied by LoLo Wynans