Bakewell choir rings the changes at carol concert

A different take on traditional Christmas carols is promised by the Bakewell and District Community Choir during an evening of Christmas music and stories at Bakewell Parish Church on Saturday, December 10.
Lester Simpson.Lester Simpson.
Lester Simpson.

The evening is part of the church’s Christmas Tree Festival and will be raising funds for the church restoration fund.

The choir is led by Wirkswirth’s Lester Simpson, a member of the renowned a capella folk trio, Coope Boyes and Simpson.

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Lester said: “We can promise an evening of surprises with some really unusual carols, some of which date as far back as the 15th and 16th centuries, and others which are new arrangements of some old favourites. They will include some which people have never heard before, and others which I’m sure will make everyone want to join in.”

Lester will also be doing a couple of solos accompanying himself on the ukulele, and there will be some stories from local storyteller Gillian Shimwell, a regular at the Matlock story-telling café.

People from all walks of life and age groups make up the 70-strong choir, which made its public debut at the Eroica Festival in June after only four months’ existence It meets every Wednesday at 7.30pm at Bakewell Town Hall. Lester added: “New members are always welcome. There are no auditions and no previous experience is necessary. We would particularly welcome, like all choirs, more tenors and basses. But really we all just love to get together and sing.

“We hope that people who come along to hear us on December 10 will enjoy the experience as much as we will.”

Tickets are £8 each, available from The Bakewell Bookshop or by ringing 01629 814496.