More than 40 singers attended the year's first session of Sidmouth Community Choir on Saturday, January 20 at St Francis Church Hall in Woolbrook.

The choir was started last year by Sarah Owen, an experienced performer and choir leader who has trained at Birmingham University and Goldsmith's College.

She said: “I live in Newton Poppleford and really wanted to run a choir locally. We had some taster sessions last autumn and I was delighted by the wonderful energy and response. We even enjoyed busking outside Fields during our final session.”

Those who came along on Saturday ranged from experienced singers to complete beginners.

Aileen Hall attended the initial taster workshops and is now keen to continue. She said: “I hadn't sung since school so I was nervous at first, but there's such a warm, friendly atmosphere I soon felt comfortable.”

Sarah said: “I really believe that everyone can sing, it's part of being human and connects us to others. Some people have had discouraging early experiences around singing that knocked their confidence. But with singing, the more you do it the better you get!

“Choirs are so wonderful in that no-one is in the spotlight, everyone is singing together as a team, creating a wonderful, magical sound.'”

Heather Watts has sung in a number of choirs and said: “Sarah is creates a wonderful atmosphere for singers of all abilities. She knows how to get the best out of people and is very skilled at teaching beginners to sing.”

Choir member Gareth Davies said: “Sarah is a very special choir leader who imparts her love of singing and makes it fun for everyone. This is also a very friendly, social group.”

The songs taught in the group cover a wide range, from rock, pop and folk. They have included The Skye Boat Song, Simon and Garfunkel hits and a South African protest song.

There are no auditions for Sidmouth Community Choir and no requirement to read music or to attend all the sessions, which run every two weeks on a drop-in basis. The next sessions are at St Francis Hall, Woolbrook, Sidmouth, on Saturdays between 10.30 and 12 noon: February 3rd and 17th, and March 2nd and 16th. The cost per session is £6. For more information contact sarahjrowen@hotmail.com 07876 524221