Town Hall reception welcomes international musical talent

A NUMBER of talented local and international musicians were given a warm welcome at Carrickfergus Town Hall on Saturday evening.

Mayor of Carrickfergus Alderman Jim McClurg and several Ulster bands joined the accomplished Norwegian accordion player Bjorn Eldevick at the reception, followed by a dinner at Carrick’s Coast Road Hotel.

Mr Eldevick has paraded with several of the bands in his native Bergen on Norway’s Constitution Day. “Marching accordion bands are relatively unknown in Norway,” he said. “It will be wonderful to share our music with bands from across the North Sea.”

The visits were facilitated by Carrickfergus man John Richardson, a member of the Churchill Silver Band.

“Music has proved to cut across all divisions; it has been a tremendous experience for those bands which have visited Norway,” Mr Richardson said. “Now to have musicians over from Bergen is proof that Northern Ireland is a place worth visiting.”

Mayor Jim McClurg, who hosted the visit, said: “We had the privilege last July of welcoming musicians from the world famous Eikanger Bjorsvik Brass Band from Bergen. Now to have Bjorn and his friends make a visit so soon afterwards is a joy for us and will help spread the word as to the attractions of Carrickfergus across the North Sea.”