Good Afternoon Choir

YATE & Chipping Sodbury Good Afternoon Choir proved to be the champion fundraisers in the region for the community choir organisation.

The group, who meet every Wednesday and are led by Sian Walters, raised £3,000 for members' chosen charity, the Great Western Air Ambulance charity, last year.

It was the biggest single amount among a total of £22,389.90 given to organisations across the West of England by 24 Good Afternoon Choirs from Gloucester To Cornwall.

Founder Grenville Jones is a renowned choir leader and says singing "should be on prescription".

Grenville also runs two evening choirs, including the City of Bath Male Choir and the Welcome Chorus.

Good Afternoon Choirs sing in the daytime and have with no auditions, with the accent on fun singing, making friends and supporting local organisations with fundraising concerts.

Events include Big Sings, when the choirs all join together, at Bath Abbey and Clifton Cathedral.

Grenville said: “Our choir members are now choosing the local groups they want to help this year.”

For more details on choirs and rehearsal times visit www. goodafternoonchoir.org.

Yate and Sodbury District u3a

The game, if you haven’t come across it, combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It is very versatile as it can be played indoors or out, singles or doubles and is suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities, making it well suited to senior players.

It uses square paddles and a plastic ball with holes.

Originally invented in the United States in the 60s, its popularity has now spread across Europe and Asia, and is definitely a hit with Yate and Sodbury District u3a members.

There are two groups running currently, and a waiting list for a third.

As u3a is run completely by its members, the pickleball groups are now looking for someone to run a third group - u3a provides plenty of help with setting up.

If you think you might be interested in this, or want to have a look at the range of activities available for people no longer in full-time work, have a look at Yate and Sodbury District u3a website: u3asites.org.uk/yate-sodbury.

Jean Crispin