A six-piece Bury band are on a mission to spread joy to older people on its tour of borough care homes.

The Honey Badgers, aged between 53 and 75, are made up of two singers, a violin player, two guitarists and a percussionist and have been touring care homes in an effort to spread joy to residents.

The band, five of whom are retirees, play sing-a-long hits from musicians and singers such as the Beatles and Doris Day. 

Guitar player Paul Bancroft, 66, said the band has had a great response from staff and residents who all 'love" music they play.

Formed in September last year, the Honey Badgers decided to go on tour because they “needed an aim, or it would just fizzle out".

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Paul said: “That would be our goal, to go round all the care homes in the Bury area. We are being asked back all the time.”

He added that the band typically play around 14 songs across two sets and try to play songs that people can sing and dance along to.

The Honey Badgers have brought their music to residential homes including Heathlands Village in Prestwich, Regency Care Home in Whitefield and Bankfield care home in Bury.

The band have captured hearts of staff and residents alike, and have even been invited to play at some homes again. 

As well as Paul, The Honey Badgers is made up of five other talented musicians from Bury, including retired teacher and performer, Steve Pearlman on guitar and harmonica, bowls player and retired careers advisor Elliot Wise on percussion, Northern Soul enthusiast Diana Grundy on violin, yoga teacher and choir singer, Angela Daley on vocals and Dave Binder, who helps run Prestwich-based food co-operative Village Greens, on vocal harmony.

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The band say it has seen a positive response from the residents who have watched its shows, especially those living with illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Paul said: “We decided to go round all the care homes in Bury and provide a bit of fun and the residents are loving it.

“We’ve got people with Alzheimer’s and with dementia, and even they are trying to get up and clap and staff say, ‘we’ve never seen them like this before.’

“They can’t stop singing and the staff are dancing.”