Beats Working, a Melton Mowbray-based drumming duo, have helped hundreds of people enjoy the sounds of West Africa though their drumming workshops and performances.

Djembe player Richard Latham has trained in the Gambia and Burkina Faso.

			Bridging the generation gap

Richard has been a kit drummer since he was 13 and was turned on to African drumming after attending a masterclass by Senegalese master drummr Magatte Dieng in Leicester some years ago.

He and Julie Latham actively promote the work of West African artisans through training, drum-making and handemade clothing.

Drumming up interest

Projects have included work with adults and children with physical and mental disabilities at venues including the Richard Attenborough Centre for Disability and the Arts in Leicester and Melton Mental Health Project.

Beats Working have projects across the East Midlands this summer and will be appearing at Broadstairs Folk Festival and at the Covenant Life and Christian Centre in Melton on 25th August.