​One of the leading male voice choirs in the West of England will be performing at this year’s Frome Festival.  On Saturday July 13th at 7.30pm the popular Frome Good Afternoon Choir and Leader Matt Finch will welcome the Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir as their very special guests to “Sing Out” with them at Holy Trinity Church, Frome.
 
The Frome Good Afternoon Choir Founder Grenville Jones said:
 
“This will be another very special concert for our members with a mix of music to suit everyone.  The Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir sing around the West Country and this will be the first time that they have visited Frome.  It will be a great night of music for Matt and the Choir.”
 
Tickets are priced £12 (under 16s Free) on the door from 7.00pm or available from gac.ticketlight.co.uk or by calling 0844 888 9991.
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Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir

Frome Good Afternoon Choir

If you love to sing and have always wondered what it’s like to join a community CHOIR, now’s the chance to find out! The new NO-AUDITION Beckenham Good Afternoon Choir starts on Wednesday June 5 from 1pm-3pm at St John’s Church Hall, Beckenham and there’s a warm welcome to go along and find out more.
 
Bath-based music man Grenville Jones started his Good Afternoon Choirs 15 years ago and there are now 26 across the West of England from Gloucestershire to Cornwall.  Over 1,000 people ‘Sing in the Afternoon’.  Grenville is very excited to announce that he is launching his next Good Afternoon Choir in London.
 
The Leader of the Beckenham Good Afternoon Choir is Bev McGarey.  Bev taught Secondary Music for 15 years, including Coloma, Dartford Grammar and Greycoat Hospital School.  She is now a qualified Creative Therapist, a mental health profession that uses the creative process of the arts to enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being for all ages.  She is looking forward to the fun of singing together and making amazing music during the afternoons.  
 
Good Afternoon Choirs sing popular melodies in harmony and each choir raises money for a local charity selected by the members. In 2023 the choirs raised over £30,000 for local charities and organizations across the West of England. 
 
Bev said;
 
“Everyone is welcome to come along to the launch on June 5 or on any Wednesday afternoon at St John’s Church Hall, Beckenham from 1pm-3pm. There’s no charge for attending your first rehearsal and there are NO auditions - come along, alone or with a friend.  You can be assured of a warm welcome.”
 
“Choirs are great for meeting new people and enjoying the best hobby in the world,” adds Grenville.
 
See www.goodafternoonchoir.org for further information.
 
Picture shows choir leader Bev McGarey
 

CHOIR Singing in the AFTERNOON is proving to be a big hit across the West of England, raising thousands of pounds for community groups. Last year (2023) across all the Good Afternoon Choirs (from Gloucester to Cornwall) the magnificent sum of just over £30,000 was raised.  The Good Afternoon choir members are now singing for the charities they will support in 2024.
 
Founder Grenville Jones has a World-Wide reputation as a choir leader and as someone who advocates the health benefits of belonging in a choir. He says; “SINGING should be ON PRESCRIPTION.” 
 
He is also well-known as founder of the Golden-Oldies Sing and Smile Charity – now in its 16th year – with 120 daytime fun sessions in Church Halls and Community Rooms across England and Wales (Goldies Cymru). Sir Cliff Richard is the Charity Patron.
  
He started the community Good Afternoon Choirs in his home City of Bath 15 years ago; choirs that sing in the daytime with no auditions and the accent on FUN singing, making friends and supporting local organisations with fundraising concerts.  Over 1,000 people Sing in the Afternoon.
  
There are now 26 Good Afternoon Choirs from GLOUCESTER to CORNWALL with more planned later in the year. Grenville takes four of the choirs himself and employs many talented freelance leaders and accompanists.
  
The Good Afternoon Choirs take place on; 
 
Mondays : Bristol, Frome, South Somerset and Truro
Tuesdays : Chippenham/Calne, Churchdown (N.Glos), Cirencester/Stroud, Mid Devon, Taunton and Wells
Wednesdays : Highworth/Shrivenham, Keynsham, Malmesbury, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Yate/Chipping Sodbury
Thursdays : Bath, Newquay, Norton Radstock, North Swindon, Thornbury and West Sussex
Fridays : Devizes, Falmouth, Westbury/Warminster and West Wilts
 
Full details on all the choirs/rehearsal times etc are all on www.goodafternoonchoir.org
 
WHO THEY WILL SUPPORT THIS YEAR
 
BATH – The Bath Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Care for Casualties through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The Bath Good Afternoon Choir is led by Grenville Jones and meets every Thursday at Widcombe Baptist Church from 2.00-4.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
BRISTOL – The Bristol Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Bristol Dementia Action Alliance through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The Bristol Good Afternoon Choir is led by John Sandford and meets every Monday at Westbury-on-Trym Methodist Church from 2.00-4.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
BOGNOR REGIS – The West Sussex Good Afternoon Community Choir started singing in April of this year.  It is led by Sam Chara and meets every Thursday at Regis Recital Hall, Bognor Regis from 2.00-4.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
CHIPPENHAM – The Chippenham & Calne Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Cancer Research UK through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The Chippenham & Calne Good Afternoon Choir is led by Matt Finch and meets every Tuesday at Pewsham Community Centre from 1.00-3.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
CHURCHDOWN – The Churchdown (N.Glos) Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support the Churchdown Community Centre through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
Their next concert to raise money for this extremely deserving charity will take place on Saturday June 8 at 7.00pm at St Andrew’s Church, Churchdown with special guest Rebecca Wright.  Tickets priced £8 are available on the door or at gac.ticketlight.co.uk
 
The Churchdown (N.Glos) Good Afternoon Choir is led by Laurie Jones and meets every Tuesday at Churchdown Commmunity Centre from 12.30-2.30pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
CIRENCESTER – The Cirencester & Stroud Good Afternoon Community Choir have again chosen to support The Churn Project through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The Cirencester & Stroud Good Afternoon Choir is led by John Sandford and meets every Tuesday at Cirencester Baptist Church (Coxwell Room) from 2.00-4.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
CREDITON – The Mid Devon Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Hearing Dogs for Deaf People through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
Their next concert to raise money for this extremely deserving charity will take place on Saturday July 20 at 7.30pm at Crediton Congregational Church with special guests The Crediton Strummers.  Tickets priced £5 are available on the door or at gac.ticketlight.co.uk
 
The Mid Devon Good Afternoon Choir is led by Jon Rawles and meets every Tuesday at Crediton Congregational Church from 2.00-4.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
DEVIZES – The Devizes Good Afternoon Community Choir have again chosen to support Sidmouth Street Club, Devizes (Alzheimer's Support) through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The Devizes Good Afternoon Choir is led by Grenville Jones and meets every Friday at St Andrew’s Church from 1.00-3.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
FALMOUTH – The Falmouth Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Carnon Downs Memory Café through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
Their next concert to raise money for this extremely deserving charity will take place with Newquay Good Afternoon Choir and Truro Good Afternoon Choir on Saturday July 13 at 7.30pm at St Michael’s Church, Newquay.  Tickets priced £8 are available on the door or at gac.ticketlight.co.uk
 
The Falmouth Good Afternoon Choir is led by Andy Farris and meets every Friday at Emmanuel Baptist Church from 1.00-3.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
FROME – The Frome Good Afternoon Community Choir have again chosen to support Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
Their next concert of the year to raise money for this extremely deserving charity will take place as part of the Frome Festival on Saturday July 13 at 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Church, Frome with special guests the Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir.  Tickets priced £12 are available on the door or at gac.ticketlight.co.uk
 
The Frome Good Afternoon Choir is led by Matt Finch and meets every Monday at Trinity Hall, Frome from 2.00-4.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
HIGHWORTH – The Highworth with Shrivenham Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Crisis through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
Their first concert of the year to raise money for this extremely deserving charity will take place with North Swindon Good Afternoon Choir on Saturday June 29 at St Michael’s & All Angel’s Church, Highworth with special guests the ‘Last Choir Standing” City of Bath Male Voice Choir.  Tickets priced £10 are available on the door or at gac.ticketlight.co.uk
 
 
The Highworth with Shrivenham Good Afternoon Choir is led by Jessie Thompson and meets every Wednesday at Highworth Community Centre (Room 8) from 1.00-3.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
HOLT – The West Wilts Good Afternoon Community Choir started singing in February of this year.  It is led by Matt Finch and meets every Friday at Holt Village Hall from 2.00-4.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
KEYNSHAM – The Keynsham Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Keynsham and Saltford Dementia Action Alliance through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
Their next concert to raise money for this extremely deserving local charity will take place as part of the Keynsham Music Festival on Friday July 5 at St John’s Church, Keynsham with special guests Bristol Male Voice Choir.  Tickets priced £10 are available on the door or at gac.ticketlight.co.uk
 
The Keynsham Good Afternoon Choir is led by Grenville Jones and meets every Wednesday at Keynsham Methodist Church (Victoria Centre) from 2.00-4.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
KINGSWOOD – The South Gloucestershire Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Brace Dementia through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The Choir will be appearing as guests of Filton Concert Brass in a 1940s Concert to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day at Trinity Academy, Lockleaze on Saturday June 8 at 7.00pm.  Tickets priced £8 are available on the door or at Eventbrite.co.uk
 
The South Gloucestershire Good Afternoon Choir is led by Matt Finch and meets every Wednesday at Kingswood Community Centre (Great Hall) from 2.00-4.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
MALMESBURY – The Malmesbury Good Afternoon Community Choir have again chosen to support Alzheimers Support Wiltshire through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The popular Malmesbury Good Afternoon Choir is led by Corrie Darker and meets every Wednesday at Malmesbury Town Hall (Old School Room) from 2.00-4.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
NAILSEA – The North Somerset Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Jack Hazeldine Foundation through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The North Somerset Good Afternoon Choir is led by Ruth Jenkins and meets every Wednesday at Nailsea Methodist Church from pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
NEWQUAY – The Newquay Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Heart of the Headland (Royal Cornwall Hospitals) through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The Newquay Good Afternoon Choir is led by and meets every Thursday at St Michael’s Church Hall from 1.00-3.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
Their next concert to raise money for this extremely deserving charity will take place with Falmouth Good Afternoon Choir and Truro Good Afternoon Choir on Saturday July 13 at 7.30pm at St Michael’s Church, Newquay.  Tickets priced £8 are available on the door or at gac.ticketlight.co.uk
 
NORTON RADSTOCK – The Norton Radstock Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Dorothy House through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The Norton Radstock Good Afternoon Choir is led by John Sandford and meets every Thursday  at Midsomer Norton Methodist Church Hall from 1.00-3.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
NORTH SWINDON – The North Swindon Good Afternoon Community Choir have again chosen to support The Open Door through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
Their first concert of the year to raise money for this extremely deserving charity will take place joining the Highworth with Shrivenham Good Afternoon Choir on Saturday June 29 at 7.30pm at St Michael’s & All Angel’s Church, Highworth with special guests the City of Bath Male Voice Choir.  Tickets priced £10 are available on the door or at gac.ticketlight.co.uk
 
The North Swindon Good Afternoon Choir is led by Sarah Summers and meets every Thursday at St John’s Haydon Wick (Worship Area) from 1.00-3.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
TAUNTON – The Taunton Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Temple Taunton Roof Fund through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
Their first concert of the year to raise money for this extremely deserving charity will take place on Saturday May 25 at 7.30pm at Temple Methodist Church with special guests the Taunton Ukulele Strummers Club.  Tickets priced £8 are available on the door or at gac.ticketlight.co.uk
 
The Taunton Good Afternoon Choir is led by Chris Grabham and meets every Tuesday at Temple Methodist Church from 2.00-4.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
THORNBURY – The Thornbury Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Thornbury & District League of Friends through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The Thornbury Good Afternoon Choir is led by Brendan Casey and meets every Thursday at Thornbury United Reformed Church from 1.00-3.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
TRURO – The Truro Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Motor Neurone Disease Association through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The Truro Good Afternoon Choir is led by Andy Farris and meets every Monday at Truro Methodist Church (Wesley Hall) from 1.00-3.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
Their next concert to raise money for this extremely deserving charity will take place with Falmouth Good Afternoon Choir and Newquay Good Afternoon Choir on Saturday July 13 at 7.30pm at St Michael’s Church, Newquay.  Tickets priced £8 are available on the door or at gac.ticketlight.co.uk
 
WELLS – The Wells Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support I See You through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The Wells Good Afternoon Choir is led by Grenville Jones and meets every Tuesday at St Thomas Church from 1.00-3.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
WESTBURY – The Westbury with Warminster Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Wiltshire Air Ambulance through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The Westbury with Warminster Good Afternoon Choir is led by Tanya Davidson and meets every Friday at Leigh Park Community Centre (Hall B) from 2.00-4.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
WINCANTON – The South Somerset Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Ring & Ride – CAT Bus through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
The South Somerset Good Afternoon Choir is led by Ruth Jenkins and meets every Monday at Wincanton War Memorial Hall from 1.00-3.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
YATE – The Yate and Chipping Sodbury Good Afternoon Community Choir have chosen to support Blonde Angels Street Team through their concerts and other fundraising activities in 2024.
 
Their first concert of the year to raise money for this extremely deserving charity will take place on Saturday 29th June at St Mary’s Church, Yate with special guests the Apollo Wind Band.  Tickets priced £8 are available on the door or at gac.ticketlight.co.uk
 
The Yate and Chipping Sodbury Good Afternoon Choir is led by Sian Walters and meets every Wednesday at St Mary’s Church from 2.00-4.00pm.  There are no auditions, everyone is welcome – come and discover the fun and friendship of a community choir.  There’s no charge for your first rehearsal.
 
 
AND AHEAD …….
 
BECKENHAM – The Beckenham Good Afternoon Community Choir starts on Wednesday June 5 from 1.00-3.00pm at St John’s Church, Eden Park, Beckenham
 
CHEPSTOW – The Chepstow Good Afternoon Community Choir starts on Wednesday August 28 from 1.00-3.00pm at Chepstow Baptist Church
 
TYLDESLEY – The Tyldesley with Leigh Good Afternoon Community Choir starts on Tuesday 17 September from 1.00-3.00pm at Astley and Tyldesley Methodist Church
 
With more to come