THE recently formed Carver Barracks Military Wives Choir gave its debut public performance in front of a packed audience at Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers’ in Stansted Mountfitchet last Thursday.
The choir of 10 women, all aged in their early twenties, was started by Joy Richardson, the wife of the padre at the barracks, who was inspired by the TV choirmaster Gareth Malone.
Choir mistress Lynne Ward-Booth said: “This choir provides a marvellous focus for these women who are coping with very young families in difficult circumstances.
“The group has really fired their imagination and we’re now hoping we’ll be included in a CD being recorded of military wives choirs around the country.”
During the evening, the TV presenter and Sworders’ consultant Penny Brittain also gave a talk about her regular appearances for the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.
The event raised more than £2,000 for the Carver Barracks Injured Soldiers Welfare Fund which enables families of injured soldiers to visit loved ones in hospital and provide child care if needed.
Sworders’ managing director Guy Schooling said: “This was an extremely emotionally charged evening and really brought home to us the stresses such young people face on a daily basis with husbands in the forces.”
