Music charity founder wants Government clarity

The founder of the Golden-Oldies ‘Sing&Smile’ charity has joined calls for clearer Government guidance on the future of amateur singing indoors. 

The charity, fondly known as Goldies, was started by Grenville Jones 13 years ago and has grown across England and Wales to the point, prior to Lockdown, that 220 fun daytime singalong sessions attracted hundreds of older people. 

These take place in Church halls, Libraries and community rooms, including several in Swindon and across Wiltshire. Everyone is welcome and attendees include adults with learning difficulties and those living with Dementia. 

The ethos is simple, to give those who live lonely lives fun events to look forward to with the accent firmly on the social benefits of being together.

Mr Jones said: “Together with choir leaders and those involved in amateur music across the UK we are all looking ahead to June 21st with apprehension… will the relaxation of rules come into place that will enable us again to meet together indoors to sing?

“For myself, this not only means that my choirs can start to sing in the afternoon and evenings but it also means that we can restart our fun singalong sessions with the 60 freelance leaders that are at the heart of our Goldies Charity.

“These take place from Bradford to Cornwall and from Essex across to the whole of South Wales (Goldies Cymru).

“Many thousands enjoy singing as a hobby and the effect on the wellbeing of those people cannot be underestimated. I know myself how desperate folk are to get back to their singing group again and we look to our Government to tell us exactly what the situation is.

“Hopefully this will be made clear within the next few days so we can again start to plan our rehearsals across the United Kingdom.”

Together with many others, Mr Jones has taken to the internet, leading Zoom singing sessions with two of his choirs each week as well as leading a pre-recorded Wednesday online choir with over 300 members from across the World. 

The Charity launched www.goldieslive.com soon after the first Lockdown and there are now two weekly fun online sessions, accessed via YouTube and Facebook, as well as a dedicated Welsh language session, once a month.