St Patrick shenanigans with Leprechauns

But these are not the mysterious creatures of Celtic Myth...more a collection of musicians from around Bexhill who organised themselves into a makeshift band some 19 years ago and are still going strong.

Singer Jack Doherty was there right from the start, having been in charge with Dick Whittington and others of arranging St Patrick's Day celebration gigs in Bexhill every year.

The committee was faced with difficulty when a booking was suddenly cancelled and there was no musical entertainment for the anticipated audience of 256.

Jack set to work finding colleagues at St Richard's School and came up with accordionist Krzysztof "JZ ", Steve Heseltine and Kevin Brennan on guitars , Tony Pryor on harmonica-guitar-ukelele, Pete Stanley playing keyboard , Katrina Doherty on flute , Tim Gagen double bass, and Mary Robertson and himself as vocalists.

After many sessions learning traditional tunes a band was formed which gave its maiden performance on March 17 1989 .

Invitations rolled in to perform around the county and they were asked what they were called and decided to let themselves be known as the Leprechauns "for the time being".

Jack said: "It wasn't long before Ian Dobson , Malcolm Fursdon and Michael Freeman joined the group with their multiplicity of musical skills, with noted other musicians joining for short periods intertwined with College life, but the same core of the group is the same."

The Leprechauns will be performing in Eastbourne on March 17, at the working men's club in Firle Road, where they will be joined by Emma Moulding on the flute .

On Thursday March 13, they bring St Patrick to the Sussex countryside in the Plough at Crowhurst for the 8th successive year . On Friday March 14, during the afternoon, they are entertaining staff and patients at Lindsay Hall .

On Saturday March 15 they are part of the mega gig in Bexhill using the hall at St Richard's school.

Jack said: "The local Robertson Academy Pipe Band will greet people with wonderful tunes as they arrive at 7.35pm. A hot Irish Coddle - even nicer than a stew - will be piped in by the Pipers and Drummers to be enjoyed by all present . The Carey Academy of Irish Dancers from Worthing will again give their world class exhibition... they have loads of international trophies. Keith Leech will do playing and calling, as last year, for as many as want to try their hands and feet ! The Leprechauns will be leading the singing , craic , humour and music for their 19th birthday . On average they are 19 years older than they were, but are as lively as ever a wandering leprechaun could be.

"The licenced bar is run by the fab local 1066 Brewery . Tickets for this gig are 5 adult , 15 family, 3 child /student , available from Dick 214903 , Jack 214605, St Mary Magdalene Presbytery 210263 ------ get your tickets early as there is a limit ."