David Ford's Milk and Cookies at The Royal Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne

BobbySix.com braved the snow with camera in hand to attend David Ford's Milk and Cookies gig in Eastbourne last weekend. Check the video below:

Eastbourne resident David Ford has, for a decade, been finding time within his busy recording and touring schedule to orchestrate and perform a series of charity gigs, entitled Milk and Cookies. Having raised thousands upon thousands of pounds, Milk and Cookies turned ten-years-old on Saturday night. To celebrate, Ford played a show at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in his home town.

While the event was sold-out, the fact that England's roads/trains seem to come to a complete standstill with the slightest peppering of snow means that a couple of hundred punters failed to make it. While this was a shame, the event was also live-streamed around the world, so those who were unable to attend could at least enjoy it from the warmth of their living room.

What they would have seen was the usual mix of Ford's solo songs and unexpected covers and rarer treats. Within three hours of terrific entertainment, highlights included a duet with former Easyworld band-mate Jo Taylor-Jones, a turn from Frances Law and a magnificent barber shop quartet featuring Max Arnold from The Late Greats, Neil Martin from Billy and the Fingers and Gary Page. As the gig drew to a close, certain representatives of BobbySix.com made up part of the choir that provided vocals on Bowie's Young Americans, Springsteen's Hungry Heart and John Farnham's You're The Voice.

Ford's music has yet to receive the recognition it deserves and so his life as a troubadour is hardly the most profitable. Therefore, for him to dedicate weeks and weeks of every year to work on this charity project illustrates what a fine chap he is. And the sheer entertainment that was on offer on this cold December evening in a dilapidated old theatre in Eastbourne cannot be argued with. A winning night all round.

This year's very good cause was the Tuesday O'Hara Fund.

How you can still see David Ford's sold out Milk & Cookies gig

For the last few years, Eastbourne's own David Ford has been taking time out from his busy touring/writing/recording schedule to play charity gigs - entitled Milk and Cookies - each Christmas. These events mix Ford's own material with covers that you wouldn't usually see at his shows (East 17's Stay, anyone?) and feature guest appearances from everyone from Fran Healy to Ford's own Sunday league footy team. Most importantly of all, they raise thousands of pounds of cash for good causes.

This year, Milk and Cookies turns ten and the event in Eastbourne on December 18th is already sold out. Dry your eyes though because the good news is that the whole three-hour extravaganza will be streamed live on the good old internet. So, you can be a part of the fun from your living room, while donating to a good cause. See more details in the cheeky little video above, then buy your ticket and find out more here.

Milk and Cookies 2007

David Ford's annual charity shindig took place around the country last week:The long-running event this year visited Lewes, Manchester, Birmingham and London and, astonishingly, considering it was organised and performed by a small network of hardworking friends, fans and family, it raised thousands of pounds for good causes local to each gig.

The shows included charity auctions and two-hour sets from Ford comprising his own tunes and some unexpected cover versions. Here is a potted example, which I filmed in Lewes and London: