Across the West of England, hundreds of people enjoy Singing in the Afternoon! There are twenty four Good Afternoon Choirs from Gloucestershire down to Cornwall and they all return to singing again after their Summer break at the start of September.

Each of the Good Afternoon Community Choirs choose a local charity in January that will benefit from their fundraising events and concerts. So far this year £14,415 has been raised for many South West organisations, including charities and local community groups.

Bath

The Bath Good Afternoon Choir this year are supporting the re-start (after Covid) of a weekly session supporting those living with Parkinson’s. The choir held a concert with the Curtain Up Theatre School in March and along with other fundraising events have so far raised £1,784.

This has enabled a new “Sing to beat Parkinsons” group led by Music Therapist Laura Cook to run at Southdown Methodist Church every Monday from 2.30pm.

Laura said: “The support from Grenville and the Bath Good Afternoon Choir has made it possible for us to start again and we are already attracting lots of people on a Monday afternoon. Thank you to everyone who has supported us.”

The Bath Good Afternoon Community Choir is led by Music-Man Grenville Jones and meets every Thursday at Widcombe Baptist Church from 2 to 4pm. Following their summer break, the choir starts back Singing in the Afternoon on Thursday September 7. There are no auditions and everyone is welcome.

Frome

The Frome Good Afternoon Community Choir have been busy with fundraising events and have raised over £320 for their chosen charity, the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance charity so far this year. The choir was also invited to take part in a concert at Frome Assembly Rooms in March, which raised £724. More concerts are planned in the run up to Christmas including an open Christmas celebration which will take place at Holy Trinity Church, Frome on Monday December 11. Everyone is welcome, so make a diary date to go along and enjoy singing your favourite carols.

Across the West of England the 24 Good Afternoon Choirs have already raised £14,415 for many local charities. Choir Founder Grenville Jones said:

“Last year our total was over £22,000 and with the fantastic support of choirs like the Frome members and with Christmas concerts ahead, I am hoping we can reach £24,000 by the end of the year.”

The Frome Good Afternoon Choir is led by Matt Finch and meets every Monday at Holy Trinity Church from 2 to 4pm.

“Following our summer break the choir starts back Singing in the Afternoon on Monday September 4. If you fancy singing in a choir, why not come along? There’s no charge for your first rehearsal,” says Matt.

Keynsham

The Keynsham Good Afternoon Choir performed to a packed St Johns Church at the Keynsham Music Festival with the Mencap’s Music Man Project Keynsham in July. This concert and other fundraising events have raised almost £600 for the Bath Mind charity as well as £200 for Mencap this year. More concerts are planned in the run up to Christmas including an open Christmas celebration which this year will take place at Keynsham Methodist Church, Victoria Centre on Wednesday December 13.

The Keynsham Good Afternoon Choir is led by Music Man Grenville Jones and meets every Wednesday at Keynsham Methodist Church (Victoria Centre) from 2 to 4pm. Following their summer break, the choir starts back Singing in the Afternoon on Wednesday September 6. “Come along and meet us, no auditions, great melodies, see you there,” says Grenville.

Midsomer Norton and Radstock

The Norton Radstock Good Afternoon Community Choir held their first concert of the year with the Bath Youth Folk Band as guests. This concert raised £340 for the Children’s Hospice South West charity. More concerts are planned in the run up to Christmas including an open Christmas celebration which will take place at Midsomer Norton Methodist Church on Thursday December 14.

The Norton Radstock Good Afternoon Choir is led by Music Man John Sandford and meets every Thursday at Midsomer Norton Methodist Church Hall from 1 to 3pm.

“Following our break for the summer, the choir starts back Singing in the Afternoon on Thursday September 7. There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and meet us, and there’s no charge for your first rehearsal,” says John.

Many of the members from all of the local groups will be looking forward to attending the annual Good Afternoon Choir ‘Big Sing’ which will take place in Wells Cathedral on Wednesday November 15. Over 500 singers will take part.

See www.goodafternoonchoir.org for more details.