Songs and Music by Jim Ghedi

In 2016 we were approached by Jim Ghedi, a Musician and Composer, who grew up around Eckington and Ridgeway and had been researching the history and heritage of Ridgeway and the Moss Valley. Jim said that he had found the Ridgeway History website of help in inspiring him to write songs and music about the area. Further inspiration came through making friendships with local Blacksmith Andrew Renwick and getting to know some of the community within Ridgeway and Marsh Lane. His aim was to produce an album, in CD and Vinyl formats, with most of the songs taking direct inspiration from researching the local history and from his personal connection to aspects of the landscape. 

On 16 February, 2018 he launched his album “A Hymn for Ancient Land” at St John's Church in Ridgeway. One of the tracks, which forms a centre piece to the album, is titled “Phoenix Works” and stems from the Ridgeway History website article “A history of the Phoenix Works” by Tony Rippon.

Already, the album is attracting critical acclaim, and promises to further enhance Jim’s reputation in the music community. A music video of the “Phoenix Works” track can be viewed on YouTube at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds9X-tgU2zI

Details of the album can be found at

https://jimghedi.bandcamp.com/

John Bennett

March 2018