Festival finale — day 5 of the Science Festival

1 year
2 months ago

The Times Cheltenham Science Festival drew to a close on Sunday in the same way that it had begun — with a bang. This time, it was the bang of drums as Darrin Mooney, drummer from successful rock band Primal Scream, pounded his way to exhaustion in the Pillar Room.

The purpose was to demonstrate changes in heart rate and oxygen uptake during a live performance. Steve Draper and Marcus Smith from the Clem Burke Drumming Project have been conducting research to find out whether drumming could provide real physical and mental health benefits.

Even the shattered Pillar Room crew (Karen–sound, Sue–visuals, Chris–event manager) rose to their feet in awe at the spectacular display of stamina and talent displayed by Mooney. Festival co-directors Kathy Sykes and Mark Lythgoe were clearly blown away at this, the very last event of The Times Cheltenham Science Festival 2009.

Only a small few of the audience opted to use the complementary earplugs. Most chose instead to let Mooney’s almost deafening rhythm fully consume them. Parents with drumming children, amateur rock drummers and even bongo drummers were keen to find out if their performances provided as much of a workout as a vigorous gym session or a premiership football match.

Sad that the festival is over? Come back soon to read our interviews with Guest Director Carol Vorderman and environmentalist Jonathan Porritt.

By Sue Harris for The Times Cheltenham Science Festival, photography by Conor Cahill.

We’ve tagged this post with science, volunteer on Tuesday 9 June 2009.