Cambridge musicians launch charity single to save the Flying Pig pub
Cambridge singer songwriter SJ Mortimer has released a collaborative single ‘Save Our Home’ with 24 local musicians for the Save The Flying Pig pub campaign.
The single was released at the weekend as it would have been the Strawberry Fair festival at which the pub always has a stage where local musicians perform.
But following the closure of all pubs due to the coronavirus pandemic and the cancellation of the Strawberry Fair, the pub has faced significant losses. On top of this the Flying Pig still faces an uncertain future after developers Pace, who own the land and the pub that stands on it, have said they want to build offices and retail space at the Hills Road site.
The developers have promised to save the front room of the pub within the development, but there are fears that the live music at the pub won't be viable if it can't be funded by drinks purchases by punters if there is no pub garden or back room where drinkers could sit.
Singer SJ Mortimer said “ I wrote the song for Justine and Matt Hatfield (the landlords), and first performed it at ‘The Pig’ a few months back, it was pretty emotional. It’s called ‘Save Our Home’ because as well as being the Hatfield’s family home, The Flying Pig is also the home of live music in Cambridge for many. During lockdown I contacted a few local musicians to see if they would like to record a part on the song and the response was overwhelming, everyone wanted to get involved. it was so great to hear everyone’s contribution come in bit by bit recorded on phones or whatever they had available in their homes. Everyone filmed themselves whilst recording too.
"The song talks about how the Flying Pig pub is a home for musicians because it it's a safe space to play new songs and meet other musicians.It has been a very significant part of my music career and Justine and Matt, the landlords, make it a special place you always want to go back to - that's why im calling it our home as well as theirs.”
In total, 24 musicians feature on the track such as Kimberley Rew (formerly of Katrina and the Waves and writer of ‘Walking On Sunshine’); Nick Barraclough (BBC Radio presenter) and many more.
Justine and Matt Hatfield commented “It’s truly humbling how many artists got involved and how much effort was put in to produce a very special video and track. Its great to know that we and The Flying Pig are so valued by the Cambridge music scene and the wider local community.”
The music video for ‘Save Our Home’ was released on Friday, June 5 on YouTube and is available to buy on band camp at sjmortimer.bandcamp.com with all proceeds going towards The Flying Pig pub.
SJ Mortimer is a Cambridge born singer-songwriter who first performed at The Flying Pig in 2012 and has been playing there when ever she can ever since. She has recorded in Nashville and toured in Europe, China and the USA. Now fronting the up-and-coming band ‘Morganway’.
A petition to save The Flying Pig currently has nearly 15,000 signatures.
