HOT on the heels of fundraising efforts during the Chew Valley 10K this June, father of local man Tom Barter has lined up a charity gig for Brain Tumour Research.

Bishop Sutton-based Rowland Barter plays keyboard for the well-known local band Rockola who have been performing together for nearly 30 years.

Together with band members Ivor Bennett (bassist) also from Bishop Sutton, Ken Young (drummer) from Hinton Blewitt with Bristol-based friends Paul Burchill (guitar) and Jon Pope (vocals), they plan to provide a fabulous evening of live music while raising vital funds. 

The band’s wide repertoire includes popular hits from the rock ’n’ roll years, the ‘60s and ‘70s and beyond, and never fails to get audiences dancing.

Rowland’s son, Tom tragically died in September 2025 of a terminal brain tumour at just 55 years of age, ten months after his shocking diagnosis. 

He told us: “Throughout Tom’s life music was an enormous focus for us as a family, and Tom was an excellent guitar player.  

“He and I shared endless hours jamming together at home and listening to records or CDs, and recording and performing music we loved.  

“We are all devastated by Tom’s loss, and this gig feels like the natural way to honour his passing, a year on.”

Bass player Ivor, added: “Rockola has performed many fundraisers over the years for lots of different charities around Bristol and Chew Valley, and Tom would often join us on stage for these gigs.  

Team '10K for Tom' are running in memory of Tom Barter who grew up locally, and went to Chew Valley School.
Tom Barter, a keen guitarist, often joined his father’s band Rockola on stage at gigs. (Kate Barter)

“This particular gig will be really dear to our hearts as we all knew Tom well, and is a vital opportunity to raise funds and awareness for his chosen charity.”

Tom had been very shocked to learn how underfunded brain cancers are, despite how common they are.  

Just one percent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain cancers since records began in 2002, yet they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.  

Money raised will help fund more studies in Brain Tumour Research labs, helping improve clinical trials leading to breakthroughs in treatment, giving more hope to brain tumour patients.

Tickets for the gig at Bishop Sutton Village Hall on Saturday, September 12 (7 to 11.30pm) are £15 each and need to be booking in advance at the Bishop Sutton Village Hall website: www.bishopsuttonvillagehall.com/event-list 

Tom’s request that any charity initiatives carried out after his passing should be in aid of Brain Tumour Research has been a big focus for his family. Organised by his sister Kate, Tom's friends and family took part in the Chew Valley 10K ‘10K for Tom’ run this June raising more than £11,000. Donations can still be made at https://www.justgiving.com/team/team-tom-2026

Tom’s sister Kate added: “We’d like to thank Bishop Sutton Village Hall committee and Sutton Theatre Company for their generous support in allowing us to host this event. We hope to see the hall full for a great night of music and fundraising for such a great cause.”