In January 2005 I was walking through the city centre and I heard some fantastic drumming. I went to investigate and found the local samba band performing to raise awareness of a concert in aid of the Tsunami victims that was to be held in the evening. I later found out that during the hour they were busking they raised £1000 for the cause.

A couple of weeks later I went along and joined the samba band and played with them for a few years. It was great fun and I can recommend it.

Today I volunteered to drive some of the children from school to a Taiko drumming concert and my reward was being allowed to sit in and listen. The sound was wonderful, the children loved it and are looking forward to their drumming workshop later in the week.

The last time I heard Taiko drumming was when a Japanese group came to Chester and played in the cathedral.