Shropshire's Military Wives Choir to sing for shoppers

The 40-strong choir made up of women from the bases at RAF Shawbury and Tern Hill, near Market Drayton, will be performing at the Marks & Spencer store in the Darwin Shopping Centre, in Shrewsbury, from 6.30pm until 8.30pm on Wednesday.

The choir, which rehearses weekly, feature on the new Military Wives album, Stronger Together, conducted by celebrity choirmaster Gareth Malone.

The performance on Wednesday is a thank you to the Marks & Spencer store and its manager, Martin Woodhouse, after M&S provided the choristers with matching purple scarves and gloves for the carol singing season.

Martin said: "They asked us if we could help them and so we came up with the scarves and gloves and I think they look very smart.

"I asked them to come and perform and they've been kind enough to do so and we're all really looking forward to it.

"They're very good and it should be a real treat for shoppers in the centre that night."

Mum-of-two Sarah Davies, 39, from Shawbury, a member of the choir committee, said: "We absolutely love it but it is all a bit hectic with husbands often away and most of us have children.

"The commitment everyone shows is amazing.

"I hadn't sung since school but I really enjoy it."

The Military Wives Choir has given performances at the officers' mess during the airbase's annual reception, and at a fundraiser for the Royal British Legion at Shawbury Village Hall.

Now, in the run-up to Christmas, the choir is scheduled to appear at a number of shows.

These include a Help for Heroes fundraiser, in Sutton Coldfield, and the annual Carols in the Square open air concert in Shrewsbury town centre on December 19.

Kevin Lockwood, manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: "This is a bit of a coup for Martin and M&S to get the choir here for Wednesday night.

"It should make the evening extra special for shoppers and create a fantastic atmosphere in the town and the centres."