Blues CDs recorded to support Oxfam

A music venue is celebrating its 21st birthday by raising funds for charity with a collection of its greatest hits.

Simon and Sharon Colgan, who run the Blues Bar in Harrogate, Yorkshire, have created three CDs and the profits from the sales will all go to Oxfam.

The compilations will feature tracks by artists who have performed at the venue over the past 21 years and will include traditional, acoustic and alternative blues.

Simon said: "We'd been considering creating a CD for some time, but the Blues Bar's 21st birthday provided the perfect opportunity for us to put together a soundtrack that would represent a journey of the bar's musical offerings.

"We wanted to mark the occasion but we didn't want it just to be a money-spinner - it needed to have real value."

The Blues Bar is next door to an Oxfam shop, and the licensees have developed a strong relationship with the charity and its employees.

Over the years they have hosted various Oxjam gigs - the music festival that raises money for the charity.

Matt Stephenson, the local Oxjam coordinator, asked the couple if they would produce the CD for charity.

"It's natural that we would work with them to raise money during the Oxjam campaign, they have been outstandingly supportive over the years" said Simon.

The CDs will go on sale at the end of the month and can be bought from either the Blues Bar or selected Oxfam shops in Yorkshire.

Oxjam's Nicki Hind said: "Blues Bar customers were extremely generous during the previous Oxjam campaigns and we are hoping that the new CDs will help raise people's awareness of this year's campaign."