By Anne Parry, Bass

On the sixth of December, an evening chilly enough to feel just right for Christmas songs, the Barberettes gathered to perform at Reading station for a good cause. The odds were stacked against us – a train strike made us wonder whether we would have an audience at all. Heavy traffic delayed the risers (the platform that we stand on) and also the most important person in the chorus, our MD, Emma….But just before our allotted time, we were in place, and even had time to join in with a couple of songs with the chorus that was performing before us.

Our turn came, and supported by the very enthusiastic bucket shakers we delivered our seasonal repertoire of known and lesser known songs. Feliz Navidad was the one that put smiles on the most faces, and the one that people sang along to.

The good cause that I mentioned was the Royal Berkshire hospital, and the choirs that performed raised an amazing £1000. As always we had a fun evening singing and entertaining passers by, and look forward to more opportunities in 2024.