ENJOY a traditional Dorset Christmas with folk songs and carols.
The Ridgeway Singers and Band led by Tim Laycock and Phil Humphries have once again tuned their fiddles and voices to present a joyous celebration of Christmas past and present this winter.
They will be performing in Winfrith, near Weymouth, on Sunday December 17.
With their roots in the South Dorset Ridgeway and inspired by the rich sources of locally collected folk songs and West Gallery carols, The Ridgeway Singers and Band have once again tuned their fiddles and voices to present a joyous celebration of Christmas past and present this winter.
Originally formed as part of an Artsreach project exploring the South Dorset Ridgeway, the group's Christmas Carol concerts have proved hugely popular across the county.
Yvonne Gallimore, Artsreach Co-Director said “When we initially formed the choir, we had no idea just how popular their traditional carol concerts would be. With a wealth of local songs and dance tunes recorded over the years, we are exciting to hear what new numbers the group will be presenting this Christmas.”
Sung by village choirs in English country churches from the 18th century onwards, West Gallery music’s demise was brought about by the innovations of the organ and harmonium, and the accompanying musicians who played the fiddle, the cello and the serpent might have been no more than a footnote in history, if it hadn’t been for this style of popular music being recorded by writers such as Thomas Hardy, the traditional music he knew as a boy, and the wonderful stories and poems in which he evoked the singers and musicians who performed it.
This seasonal programme will include works from Puddletown, Durweston and Hinton St Mary manuscripts, together with newly composed carols in the West Gallery tradition. Interspersed with some sparkling instrumental pieces and midwinter stories, plus a few Ridgeway favourites, expect a heart-warming seasonal celebration of all things Dorset!
*See The Ridgeway Singers and band in 4pm performances at Durweston Hall (01258 488883) on Sunday December 10 and Winfrith church (01305 853783) on Sunday December 17. Tickets and further information are available from artsreach.co.uk
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