MUSICIANS will come together at a Southend town centre pub this weekend for a benefit gig in aid of a new gardening project, based behind the venue.

They will be playing at the Railway, in Clifftown Road, on Sunday for Make Compost – Not War, a gig to raise cash for a community project helping people with learning disabilities to grow their own veg and herbs.

The scheme is the brainchild of pub regular Graham Burnett, who approached landlord Dave Dulake and got an enthusiastic reception.

Graham said: “Dave was talking about how he’d like to see the yard behind the pub used for something to benefit the local community He said it would be nice to grow some organic vegetables.

“At the same time, the Hub, where I work, is always keen to find innovative ways of developing service users’ practical skills and promoting their social inclusion.”

Materials have been donated by local businesses including Flower Power Garden Services and Dolman’s of Sutton Road.

Sunday’s acts, including headliner Steve Hooker, punk band Swindle, Railway regular, Dave Woodcock, NED, Tim Sully, Jam 292, Point Inaudible, Wendy Solomon, the Tuppenny Bunters, Nikki Nicholas, Simon Dobson and Ren Steadman had agreed to play for free.

Make Compost Not War is at the Railway Hotel, Clifftown Road, Southend from 2pm until 11pm. Admission is £5.