Bill Henderson led choir's carols at Café 1496 and St Leonard’s Church help raise £700 for Moray Food Plus
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More than 70 local singers and musicians gathered in Forres four times over Christmas to sing and play folk carols for charity.
Around 40 people joined in the events organised by Bill Henderson at Café 1496 and St Leonard’s Church, helping to raise £700 for the area’s food bank.
The choir leader said: “We had a great time singing and playing little known songs. It was good to get learn them, get others involved and raise funds.”
Carols included Cranbrook, Sweet Chiming Bells, Pentonville, Spout Cottage, The Holly and the Ivy (Steeleye Span version) and Awake! Arise Good Christians.
“The first three are different musical settings of the words of While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night,” explained Bill. “Cranbrook is the tune used for On Ilkley Moor Bah’t ‘at, but the use by the carol pre-dates it. They were sung with gusto.”
Bucket collections were carried out at each event on behalf of Moray Food Plus.
Bill explained the choice of charity: “It’s shocking so many people are dependent on food banks. This is a small gesture to help relieve the suffering of local people who are finding things difficult.”
Café 1496 owner, Carrie Custodio, enjoyed the performances and the opportunity to showcase her business.
She said: “We were delighted to provide a venue for the carols. We loved having the space full of people raising the rafters while raising money for a good cause.”
Volunteer development officer at Moray Food Plus, Mhari Zglobis, received the cheque for the proceeds from Bill.
She said: “It’s lovely to think that people were having so much fun at the same time as fundraising.
“We would like to give our sincere thanks to all the singers and musicians. At a time when so many people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, such donations help our work so much.”
The carols performed come from the Sheffield area where they are traditionally sung in pubs in rural villages. They contrasted with much of Bill’s other work with groups including Forres Big Choir, when he seeks to bring out finer details of music.
He said: “It was refreshing to be more relaxed than I sometimes am! With my other work, I aspire to get the very best out of any group I work with. This time I simply focused more on the joy of singing and we made a pretty good noise!”
He added: “We’re already looking forward to repeating the event next winter. Emeritus Professor at Aberdeen University’s Elphinstone Institute, Ian Russell, the acknowledged expert on these songs will come to Forres for a full day workshop on November 11.”
