Downham Market singing pals 'Pops Brings the Party' and Martin Riches raise voices and funds for heritage centre

A duo put their singing to good use raising their voices, and funds, for a heritage centre.

Norman Phipps, aka ‘Pops Brings The Party’ and Martin Riches, sang to the public in Downham on Saturday, April 15, in aid of Discover Downham.

Shoppers heard the tuneful sound of songs from the sixties and seventies being sung by the two pals.

Martin is a volunteer steward at the heritage centre and the songbirds had a pitch on the Market Square, which was permitted by the town council, along with a free gazebo.

Pops is a familiar face in Downham, often performing in local care homes where he entertains the residents and raises money for dementia groups and charities.

As well as volunteering at Discover Downham, Martin does charity work and enjoys volunteering for the Children’s Society and the Stroke Association.

The latter is close to Martin’s heart since suffering with a stroke himself and the bucket collection raised £120 towards the work of preserving and promoting the area’s history and heritage.