• Seafield House, Darmonds Green, West Kirby, Wirral, CH48 5DT

Abbeyfield
Hoylake & West Kirby

Another Fabulous Afternoon with Andrew and Marko

There are some visitors who need no introduction, and Andrew and Marko are firmly on that list. They were back with us again this week for another afternoon of music, dancing and poetry, and once again they had the whole room joining in from the very first song.

All our favourite songs

Andrew and Marko have a real knack for knowing exactly what an audience wants to hear. The set list was packed with the songs we all know and love, the ones that take you straight back to a particular time or place the moment the first few notes start.

Some people sang along with every word. Others were happy to sit back, tap along in time and let the music wash over them. Both are absolutely fine by us. What matters is that everyone was involved in their own way, and nobody was left out.

Marko and Andrew dance joyfully in a bright room during a Fabulous Afternoon, as older adults beam from red armchairs beneath festive Union Flag bunting.
On a sunny afternoon, musicians Andrew and Marko play for elderly people in a communal room; some hold tambourines as sunlight pours through large windows.

Up on our feet

It was not long before the dancing started. A few of us were up and moving, and those who preferred to stay seated still found themselves swaying along or keeping the beat with their hands.

Dancing is one of those activities that does far more good than people realise. It gets everyone moving, it lifts the mood and it brings people together in a way that few other things manage. There is a lot to be said for an afternoon that leaves everyone a little bit out of breath and grinning about it.

Three elderly women dance joyfully in a bright room on a Fabulous Afternoon, while Marko sings into a microphone, Andrew plays the banjo, and several people watch from their seats in the background.

A little poetry too

What sets Andrew and Marko apart is that their afternoons are not just about the songs. Woven in between the music were poems, which gave the whole session a lovely rhythm to it. A burst of energy, then a quieter moment to listen and reflect, then straight back into another favourite.

That change of pace is part of what makes their visits so enjoyable. There is time to think as well as time to sing, and the mix keeps everyone engaged from start to finish.

Marko, wearing a hat, reads from a book next to Andrew, the seated guitarist. Several elderly people listen closely in the lounge, enjoying a marvellous afternoon of music and stories.

Why live entertainment matters

There is something about live music that a recording simply cannot match. Being in the same room as the performers, watching them respond to the audience and hearing familiar songs played just for you creates an atmosphere that no speaker can replicate.

Sessions like this do more than fill an afternoon. They spark conversation, stir up memories and give everyone something to look forward to and something to talk about afterwards. Days later, people are still humming the tunes and mentioning their favourite moments.

Four elderly women spend a lovely afternoon indoors, seated on brown armchairs. Three chat amiably whilst one holds a red container. Bags and cushions are strewn around them.
Marko, wearing a hat and yellow trousers, dances with two elderly ladies indoors as a banjo player performs. Union Jack flags hang overhead, setting the scene for a Fabulous Afternoon full of music and happiness.

Thank you and see you next time

Our thanks go to Andrew and Marko for another fabulous afternoon of music, dancing and poetry. It was every bit as much fun as we hoped it would be, and we are already looking forward to having them back.

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