Torquay singers join 100-strong 'Big Sing' to support local charity

More than 100 singers from across the West Country gathered at Holy Trinity Church in Exmouth for a collaborative ‘Big Sing’ event.

Members from five different Good Afternoon Choirs, coming from Crediton, Exmouth, Sidmouth, Taunton, and Torquay, participated in a day of musical workshops followed by a public evening concert.

The event raised £561.10 for Open Door Exmouth, a local charity dedicated to combating isolation and poverty in the community.

The afternoon workshop was led by choir leaders Craig Northway, Jon Rawles, Maria Thorne, and Matt Finch.

Participants praised the “first class” direction of the session, with one member noting that the musical skills on display "ensured that everybody had a great day."

The evening performance featured a guest appearance by the Exmouth Shanty Men, described by organizers as one of the most entertaining acts on the traditional folk scene.

Grenville Jones, founder of the Good Afternoon Choirs, described the group as “the most cheery gaggle of rascals you are ever likely to meet.”

The funds raised during the concert will go directly toward supporting vulnerable individuals in the Exmouth area.

Lisa Pike, representing Open Door Exmouth, described the evening as “wonderful,”adding that the audience had been “incredibly generous.”

The Good Afternoon Choir movement has grown significantly in recent years, now boasting 34 community choirs and over 1,500 members across the West of England.

'No auditions'

The group prides itself on accessibility, operating under a “no auditions” policy to encourage those who may only have experience singing at home or in the car.

“You do not have to worry about travelling to rehearsal in the dark,” the groups website states. “You will be home for the six o'clock news.”

Organisers say the choirs are open to everyone, with the first rehearsal offered free of charge to new members.