The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

More than 40 musicians and singers recently came together to celebrate the Cambridge Comhaltas branch’s successes in both the All-Britain and the All-Ireland fleadhs.

Grace Lemon won Gold in the U-12 uilleann pipes slow air competition and Bronze in the U-12 while Adam Brown took Bronze in the 15-18 bodhran.

Students from the recently formed Cambridge University Ireland Society also came along and played.

The age range of the performers on the night spanned eight decades from the oldest guest singer 85-year-old John Kavanagh to 12-year-old Grace Lemon on the uilleann pipes.

The branch recently raised £1,000 for victims of the South East Asia Tsunami which was presented on the night by the treasurer John Clery and chairperson Kathleen Collins.

The money was raised at a Tsunami Relief Ceili for the work of the Hebron orphanage in India — which gives care to victims of the disaster.

Branch PRO Marian Brown said: “The branch has established ongoing links with this particular orphanage which is supported by the Catherine Jones Charity based in Cambridge.

“The donation will help them to purchase new bunk beds and improve sanitation facilities at the orphanage.”

The Cambridge branch of Comhaltas holds lessons in a variety of traditional Irish instruments every Wednesday evening at the Rathmore Club and has regular monthly sessions. See the website for more details at www.cambridgecomhaltas.com.