ACROSS the UK, hundreds of older people are joining choirs like the Keynsham Good Afternoon Choir to sing in the afternoon.

Back in 2009, respected Bath choir leader Grenville Jones launched his Good Afternoon Choir. Now 17 years on there are more than 30 choirs across the West of England, South Wales and London.

The choirs are led by talented freelance musicians, recruited by Grenville, to lead the choirs. Rehearsals are weekly in community rooms or church halls and with plans to add another six Good Afternoon Choirs in 2026.

“These are no-audition community choirs where previous singing is not a necessity. The music is fairly straightforward and I am extremely fortunate to have such a talented group of leaders,” said Grenville.

Traditionally, mixed-voice choirs rehearses in the evenings but Grenville recognises the fact that people who love to sing (and have sung in the past) may not necessarily be comfortable driving to an evening rehearsal, particularly on a dark cold winters evening.

John Hare is the choir leader at Keynsham Good Afternoon Choir. He has recorded a welcome message that illustrates the joy of singing in a community choir and in recent days all of the community choirs have been performing at Christmas Celebration Carol concerts with special guests from local Primary Schools.

To view the video visit youtu.be/xqeor_PVKQM

The Good Afternoon Choirs support and raise money for local organisations/charities that they themselves choose. Over the years the choirs have raised in total over £95,727.81. This year 2025 the concert totals have so far come to £20,659.86.

Founder Mr Jones is available on his mobile 07778 282934 and would be delighted to talk about the success of his project and how ‘Singing in the Afternoon’ means so much to so many older people from the South West, South Wales and London.