THE Good Afternoon Choir and Crediton Strummers combined to perform a Charity Concert in Crediton Congregational Church on Saturday, July 20. 

The Choir have been working towards this event all this term, under the very encouraging and enthusiastic leadership of Jon Rawles.

There was a nice mix of pieces from the Beatles, Roger’s and Hammerstein, Disney and the Muppets, to name but a few. With Jon conducting, the choir was accompanied by Peter Gilks. 

Crediton GAC is one of many such choirs throughout the West Country, from Swindon to Penzance. In fact choirs are now opening in the London area, and even further afield.

Each choir performs termly concerts with guests, and in doing so also raise money for various charities.

The Crediton choir would welcome any new faces when the next term begins in early September. 

For this concert the guests of the choir were the Crediton Strummers.

Their programme ranged from ballads to beat. Opening with Proud Mary, there were numbers from The Traveling Wilburys, Oasis, The Proclaimers, Neil Young and Coldplay, among others. 

The Strummers came together following a Community Facebook page notice in February 2023, and have been meeting weekly ever since. Playing for pleasure, trying out various songs and styles of music, is the pattern for their meetings. They are very informal and friendly, enjoying making music together. 

The Strummers have performed at a few gigs, but this was their first “concert” performance.

Several of their numbers required participation from the audience, the audience certainly joined in with enthusiasm! Their “Oh Oh Oh’s” in the Coldplay number did them great credit!  

The Charity chosen for this particular concert is possibly less well known. 

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People began in 1982, and has grown considerably since its early days.

The audience at the concert had a short, and very informative talk about the organisation from Hellen Burridge.

Suffering from deafness herself, Helen was passionate about the work of the Charity.

She outlined the huge work the Charity undertakes and the many deaf people it helps, enriching their lives considerably. 

Visit their website: hearingdogs.org.uk .