2026 Mayor begins year in office with free festival fundraiser weekend

Cllr Maskalick with other members of the Roadkill Blues Band

Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Greg Maskalick has successfully held a charity Blues and Rock Fest to raise money for the homeless charity Canaan Trust, which is based in Long Eaton, and Home Start in Ilkeston.

Over the evenings of Friday 22nd May and Saturday 23rd May at the Royal Oak in Ockbrook, music lovers enjoyed free admission to hear live performances from a variety of bands. The two nights of live blues and rock music featured Ding & John, Sunshadow, Voodoo Smyle and an open mic jam session. The Mayor’s group, The Roadkill Blues Band, also played both days of the festival.

Festival attendees were able to hear The Roadkill Blues Band play original songs with titles such as Roadkill Boogie, My Self Driving Truck and My Baby Took My House.

Councillor Greg Maskalick recently became Mayor of Erewash on Thursday 21st May after spending the past year as Deputy to Councillor Harry Atkinson.

He was previously Director of Music at the old Ockbrook School – after a career as a professional piano player, during which he worked with a string of US music icons. The father of two – who serves as councillor for Ockbrook and Borrowash – even helped Hollywood star Bruce Willis make his album The Return of Bruno. Today, the Mayor still plays the organ and piano for church services at Ockbrook Moravian Church, Saint Steven’s Church in Borrowash and occasionally at All Saints Church in Ockbrook.

Speaking before the event, Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Greg Maskalick said: “This free festival is a great chance to have some fun, raise money for local causes and support some UK bands. I’m looking forward to …. working together to fundraise for the Canaan Trust and Home Start.”