Local singing group to mark decade of community and music

A local singing group will mark its 10th anniversary this year after being started a decade ago by a local couple to bring people together through music and friendship.

The Singin’ Group was founded in 2016 by Jeanette and Mike Nash, who wanted to create a relaxed, inclusive space where residents could sing, socialise and enjoy each other’s company without the pressure of being a formal choir.

Since then, the group has met weekly at the Riverside Centre, growing from just five original members to more than 40 people, with demand to join remaining strong.

Jeanette said, “We’re not a choir and never pretend to be. We don’t sit in rows – we sit in a circle so we can all see each other and have a laugh.

“We have a full house at the moment, as 40 is our limit. Whenever we have a vacancy one of our members always has someone waiting in the wings.”

The group is known for its social atmosphere and themed events, which have included dressing-up days, pantomimes written and performed by members, and shared meals.

“We celebrate anything that can be celebrated,” said Jeanette. “We often run themed days, which are quite popular with our members – we like any excuse to dress up.”

Alongside singing and social activities, the group regularly raises money for charity. During 2025, members raised £590 through raffles and events for causes including Comic Relief, Macmillan Cancer Support and Shine, a club for people with special needs held at Queensway Hall.

Jeanette and Mike Nash are also well known locally as the Melksham Pearlies, a traditional sing-along entertainment group that ran for around 20 years from 1993. Last year, they were awarded British Empire Medals in the King’s Birthday Honours list for services to the Melksham community.

To mark the group’s 10th anniversary, members are planning a five-day celebratory holiday to Llan-dudno in Wales in April.

Jeanette said, “We started on the 13th April 2016 and to celebrate this 24 of us and anyone who wanted to come are having a five-day holiday with Daish’s Holidays at Llandudno in Wales in April.”