They formed 34 years ago, have played more than 200 gigs and raised thousands of pounds. 

Now the party pop band, QED, has taken its final bow after coming together for one last charity gig where it all began. 

In 1989, three members of the local Round Table friendship and fundraising club provided the backbone for the group. 

Joined by their nearest and dearest, journalist Richard Batson, bank manager Colin Start and vet Graham Dick played guitar, bass and keyboards for their first ever gig at Palgrave Community Centre in Diss.

And all three, now retired, went back there for the final concert where they raised around £400 for Parkinson’s Disease. 

The event was hosted by Phil Catchpole, who also was the Round Table chairman at QED’s first gig. 

Eastern Daily Press: QED plays its last ever gig

 

Mr Batson said: “The first gig was exciting and terrifying in equal measure for those of us who were previously just front room performers.  

“But it went down well, and things just took off. We were doing a gig a month at one stage. 

“It is sad to call it a day as we have had some great times, and formed great friendships, but none of us is getting any younger and were just about coming to a natural end. 

“The idea of the Palgrave gig seemed the perfect way to sign off.”

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The group mainly toured in East Anglia, but also had gigs in London, Sussex and Hampshire.

Its name comes from the Latin quod erat demonstrandum, which means ‘which was to be demonstrated’. 

"Hopefully we can unplug our microphones having hopefully proven our case," Mr Batson added.

There have been line-up changes over the years but Mr Batson, of Southrepps in North Norfolk, Mr Start, of Swavesey near Cambridge, and his singer wife Karen, have been constants. 

The final gig line-up was joined by Mr Start’s son Matt on drums, Peter Clayden on lead guitar, and band friend Steve Scott on second lead vocalist.