AN appreciative and generous audience enjoyed the recent Shaldon Singers Spring Concert at St Peter’s Church - and helped a very worthy Dawlish-based charity in the process. 

The  Shaldon Singers support local charities at their concerts through retiring collections, and  were delighted on this occasion to raise a grand total of £467 for Dawlish Community Transport. 

During the evening Valerie Jeffery, a trustee, spoke about the charity which offers help to people, particularly wheelchair users, in accessing shops, health appointments and leisure activities. 

She also described how the charity is recovering from an arson attack last year which destroyed several of their vehicles. 

Dawlish Community Transport office manager Sally Preston said: ‘We cannot believe how much was raised on the night. Words cannot express our gratitude, this is amazing.’

Conducted by Tim Crompton, the choir was accompanied by the Shaldon Sinfonietta, led by Anna Cockroft, and the concert featured four excellent local soloists performing – Josie Walledge, Rebecca Squire, Jonathan Waterworth and Tim Mirfin.

Mozart’s dramatic Requiem was the highlight of the evening. In contrast was a charming Magnificat by eighteenth-century composer Francesco Durante, and Shaldon Sinfonietta showcased their talents in a performance of one of Durante’s concertos. 

Shaldon Singers are a friendly non-auditioned choir of about 60 members . They are always looking for new singers to join them They sing a wide range of classical music and give two concerts a year, in December and May.

For ,ore details about thecjoir see the website www.shaldonsingers.co.uk.