Guitar group set up to combat loneliness to play St Georges Hall

A group of amateur guitarists are taking on their biggest challenge yet.

The Florrie Guitar Group, set up seven years ago by Tim Tierney, has been encouraging players of all standards to come together once a week at the historic building in the Dingle.

Averaging around 70 members a week, the group plays a wide range of songs from the Beatles to Motown. Next month the group will take on their biggest challenge yet, with 600 members playing in St Georges Hall.

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Tim told the ECHO: “We get so many people from teenagers to pensioners. Some can play like Joe Satriani and other people are just starting out, it is very much for everybody.

“Everyone feels a part of something here which people want. With the group, they feel like it is there, and it is. I just facilitate a room.”

Previously the group leader has spoken of the guitar not being the “main point” of the sessions. Tim said some people come and don’t even take their guitar out of the case.

Tim added: “It is so important to the people who come here. There is a social side to it and some just want to sing along to the songs.

“I think it is important that people are building friendships and combating social isolation. Everyone gets something different from it.”

The group will play at St Georges Hall on December 6. They will be joined by The Bluebells who penned the 1983 hit ‘Young at Heart’ and Frankie Goes to Hollywood guitarist Brian Nash.

Tim, 41, said: “There is a lot to manage but it is worthwhile. It is giving people an opportunity to play in one of Liverpool’s most prestigious buildings. It is a milestone and