What began during the early stages of lockdown last year when residents sang from their terraces and balconies soon morphed into a residents choir.

Castle View residents formed the new choir to help counter loneliness for the group during the pandemic.

Formed at the end of 2020 when they could meet together, the choir made its debut performance on Christmas Eve with 15 of the retirement village’s apartment owners taking part.  

“The advantages for participants are tenfold," said choir leader Ruth Wilson of Castle View.  

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"Men particularly find music and singing help to counter loneliness, while other benefits include an enhanced sense of community and connection, the opportunity to make new friends while learning something new and all with a healthy dose of fun and laughter.  

"The choir also gives a real sense of purpose and achievement as well as giving structure to one’s time.” 

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"We ended up with a wonderful community of singers, many of whom weren’t even living here at Castle View."

Village manager of Castle View Lisa Fisher said: “There are huge mental and well-being benefits to singing and being part of a choir.

"With many choirs having had to close we knew there were those missing the companionship and the lifeline that offered. 

"The choir was built on enthusiasm and laughter rather than professionalism, and anyone over 55 was welcome. 

“Now that lockdown is easing and people are getting out and about again, the Zoom choir has been scaled back, but at its peak was regularly attracting 15-20 regular members and over 4,000 views on its Facebook page - a great response."