On the afternoon of Saturday 8th February, members of the Firth Park singing group hosted their first ever BIG SING! event at the Clock Tower on Firth Park Road with the support from the National Lottery Community Fund.
This free event was an enormous success with more than 75 people of all ages and backgrounds joining in an epic hour’s sing-a-long of favourite songs supported by guitar and accordion including Amazing Grace, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Que Sera Sera, as well as tracks by Elvis, Louis Armstrong, The Beatles, ABBA and music from films such as The Lion King, Shrek and Grease.
Local community musician Robin Grey who led the BIG SING! said “With the days still short and cold, February is often a difficult time of the year for many people. Singing is a great natural way of lifting your mood, known to release endorphins, a brain chemical that makes you feel happy. Singing in groups is also a really good way of making friends and feeling part of a community which is vital for maintaining your health”
The event was hosted by Friends Of Firth Park, a well known local community group who run a range of activities around the area. The group’s dedicated Treasurer Maggie Hoyles said “We have so much joy singing together at our weekly Friday morning sessions. We organised this on a weekend afternoon so we could share this experience with those who are at work or school on weekdays so unable to normally attend. It was emotional being part of such a large group of people singing together.”
Local resident Nerva said “My friends came and enjoyed it very much, they agreed we should have more big singing events like this. I am hoping we can organise something similar at SADACCA, the community centre in the Wicker which I also go to”
Regular singing group member Alicia said “My daughter came and had a really good time. She has recently been thinking of joining a choir and this has inspired her to go along to one”
Friends of Firth Park singing group meet every Friday from 10.30-12.30 in the Bowling Pavilion. All are welcome, no experience necessary, it is a dementia and people with additional needs friendly session with tea and biscuits served at half time. Entry is free and donations are welcome into the ukulele case.