Community carol singing in the East Devon village of Talaton has moved online in a bid to raise funds for the Devon Freewheelers.
For the past three years Talaton residents have gathered to sing in the village, with all Christmas carol contributions donated to the Devon Blood Bikes.
Residents refusing to be thwarted by the coronavirus pandemic are this year carolling for charity by joining forces with neighbouring Whimple village to host an online event.
Emma Palmer, spokeswoman for the Talaton carols, urged people to dig deep and support the village’s aim to raise £500 for Devon Freewheelers.
Emma said: “While only three years old, the tradition of community carol singing in Talaton has been very popular and raising much-needed funds for the Blood Bikes.
“Please help us to help them.”
She added: “Due to Covid-19, the residents of Whimple and Talaton are not able to hold their annual fundraising Christmas carol singing this year.
“Instead, they have banded together to launch their Christmas carols virtually, with musicians filming themselves playing at home.
“Five carols have been released and the final two will be released on Christmas Eve.”
Musicians and singers have come together virtually – each filming themselves – to release a host of Christmas favourites, which can be watched on YouTube.
The final two carols are set to be shown on Christmas Eve.
Performances of Ding Dong Merrily on High, Away in a Manger, We Three Kings, Once in Royal David’s City and The First Noel have already been released.
The villages’ online carols will raise funds for Devon Freewheelers and The Devon Air Ambulance, through two separate JustGiving pages.
And all seven carol performances will be live-streamed on Christmas Eve, as a nod to Whimple’s annual outdoor carol concert, which would have marked its 46th year.
- Donations can be made to Devon Freewheelers through the JustGiving page, here.