Musicians who have played for the Queen, Prince Charles, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin perform at Stretford Mall (From Messenger Newspapers)

Musicians who have played for the Queen, Prince Charles, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin perform at Stretford Mall

9:00am Saturday 5th January 2013 in News By Kate Banks, Reporter

MUSICIANS who have played for the Queen, Prince Charles, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin delighted Stretford Mall shoppers when they played outside the O2 store, all in aid of a good cause.

Talented musician Jennie Stretton, who has worked at the store for a number of years, has played at Windsor Castle for the Queen and Prince Charles, while her university friend Ben Dixon played at Gwyneth Paltrow’s birthday party, at the invite of her husband, Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

Jennie and Ben were joined by three other musicians, two of whom play with Ben in Grimethorpe Colliery, the world’s most famous brass band.

The event raised £100 for O2’s ambitious £5m charity Think Big, designed to back young people making a difference in their communities.

Jennie, who worked for phone company full time for three years before switching to part time when she began her music degree, was a member of the Durham Rifles cadet band from age 11 to 18 when the outfit was invited to perform at Windsor Castle.

“It was a very formal event and we did not get to meet the Queen but as we arrived in the bus we saw her walking the corgis in her green wellies. We all screamed ‘It’s the Queen!’”

Colin McCrory, Stretford Mall Manager, said: “We were very lucky to be welcome such talented musicians to Stretford Mall and the event really