Southsea pub landlord cheers up isolated neighbours with daily musical medley

For the last week, Chris Vaux, 39, who is landlord at the Lord John Russell pub in Albert Road, has been playing a range of songs from his balcony speakers to ‘get people feeling positive’. Tunes have included Love is in the Air, You Got the Love and Stand by Me.

Chris said: ‘I started by playing Bamboleo by the Gipsy Kings, which was a song from my childhood, and posted myself dancing on Facebook. The response I got was amazing and so I decided to put the speakers outside and play a selection of songs for my neighbours. I have had lots of messages saying how much it has lifted people’s spirits.

‘People have been out dancing in their gardens and singing along. One lady who has been self-isolating said seeing people out in their gardens and smiling was the first time in days that she hadn’t felt alone.’

During the songs Chris can be seen dancing with his children and dog, Lola, and the posts on Facebook have now attracted more than 100,000 views. Chris has been posting the musical medley at 6pm each evening to ‘lift people’s mood’ after the daily government press conference.

‘We have had people logging in from all over the world including Australia, New Zealand and Norway,’ added Chris.

With people across the city coming out on Thursday to support the Clap for our Carers Campaign, Chris decided to play the legendary Queen performance from the 1985 Live Aid Wembley concert.

Chris said: ‘Queen’s concert for Live Aid was at a time when the world was in crisis and it was a way to bring people together. I thought it was fitting to play this tonight at a time when we are coming together to show our support for the NHS.

‘I have a friend who is a nurse in Queen Alexandra Hospital and she has just finished a 70-hour week.’

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The daily postings have certainly proved popular on Facebook.

One person wrote: ‘Loving this. Dancing in our kitchen in Fratton.’

Another added: ‘Can hear this inside my kitchen on Victoria Road – even with the door closed. I love it.’

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