A South Lakeland ladies community choir is looking to grow its membership after securing a grant from a renewable energy firm to help it cover its costs.
Hutton Harmonies was formed last autumn and meets every week at the New Hutton Institute under the direction of professional soprano and community choir conductor Emily Robinson.
The choir has already grown to include 16 members and has so far performed two concerts, with a recent charity event in a local church raising more than £1,000 for Christian Aid.
Hutton Harmonies has now received a £3,990 grant from the community fund linked to OnPath Energy’s nearby Armistead Wind Farm, which will help to cover the cost of hiring the hall and its other expenses for the next 12 months.
This will give the choir time to build its membership and become independently financially sustainable while also maximising the opportunities for all local women to get involved.
Rehearsals will recommence in early September, with a try out session being organised for anyone who wants to find out more about what the choir offers, and plans are already being made for a December concert which will feature new music.
Jean Robinson, founder member of Hutton Harmonies, said: “Our last local choir folded eight years ago, and while some of our members were part of that group, several others had never sung in public before and are having a lot of fun doing so.
“As well as providing enjoyment in itself, singing is also good for building confidence and it also provides a regular opportunity for people simply to spend quality time together, which isn’t always easy to find in dispersed rural communities like ours.
“Our age range goes from people in their 50s through to their 80s, and while our members are mostly from the local area, we’re very much open to welcoming new people from anywhere across South Cumbria.
“We’ve had a lovely response from the audiences for which we’ve performed so far, and we can’t wait to get back on stage in the autumn.
“We’re really grateful for the funding that OnPath has provided and for the breathing space it gives us to grow our choir to the size and strength that we want it to be.”
Helen Cutting, partnerships and community manager at OnPath Energy, added: “The grassroots impact that this grant will have is precisely what the Armistead Wind Farm Community Fund was designed to achieve.
“There’s clearly already a great deal of talent within the Hutton Harmonies’ ranks, but there’s plenty of room for more voices to join the throng and we’re looking forward to seeing how the choir progresses over the coming year.”
