Home Comforts and Joy concert will premiere at 7pm on 22nd December on the following link

Our Performers

Westerton Male Voice Choir

Image of members of Westerton Male Voice Choir at a festive concert.
​Westerton Male Voice Choir came about because a sodden bowling green prevented members of the Westerton Bowling Club from playing, one day in 1957. Some of the thwarted members gathered round a piano in the pavilion and were so pleased with their efforts that they decided to set up a choir.  At the heart of our singing is a cherished tradition, fundraising for charity, which is carried out with great enthusiasm. Over the years, in addition to raising awareness for our charity partner, we have raised in excess of £90,000 for a wide range of good causes. 

Iain 'Costello' MacIver

Iain MacIver signing and playing his guitar
Iain MacIver is a singer/songwriter/teacher who lives on the Isle of Harris. He has been actively involved in the island music scene for over forty years.  As well as releasing several solo albums he has also recorded two albums with Gaelic/Country group New Tradition, with whom he is the lead vocalist. 

Dean Saunders - Piper

Dean Saunders piper dressed in full Highland outfit
 “My name is Dean Saunders and I am a professional bagpiper from Dunfermline. I have been playing the bagpipes for the last 17 years and have recently just turned it into full-time job. The greatest thing about playing the bagpipes is that it brings so much joy to other people and makes people smile. I can play a mixture of contemporary and traditional tunes on the bagpipes.”

Merchant Voices Choir

Merchant Voices Choir ready to perform
In January 2006, a small group of singers gathered in a state of nervous excitement. They had responded to an advertisement from Glasgow Life (the cultural arm of Glasgow City Council), announcing the formation of a community choir based at the City Halls.  As the venue lies at the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City, the name Merchant Voices was chosen, though in reality the choir has drawn its members from all walks of life, from students to pensioners. 

Leona Evans

Image of Leona Evans
I am 26 years old. Graduated from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2017 with a BMus Honours in Traditional Music specialising in Scots Song. At the moment I am working in Lockerbie Academy and do private singing lessons.

Every Voice Choir

The Every Voice Choir at rehearsal
The Every Voice Choir were formed by our Alzheimer Scotland West Dunbartonshire service, as a therapeutic activity for people living with dementia and their carers and is facilitated by Bryan Marshall. The group have enjoyed (pre Covid) many performances across Scotland and were made famous in the BBC Five Wishes programme which aired last Christmas. 

The Dynamite Kings

The Dynamite Kings performing at a live gig
Formed in Newton Stewart, SW Scotland in early 2018, it’s The Dynamite Kings! Influenced heavily by power blues and blues-based rock an’ roll, The Dynamite Kings pack some serious punch; cramming as many ear to ear grin inducing, foot stomping tunes into their set as they can. 

The Forget Me Notes

Image of Singing and Dancing
The Forget Me Notes Project is an Edinburgh-based charity that uses music to build community, combat isolation and aid self-expression.  We run a dementia-friendly community choir (currently on Zoom) and Music Memory Sessions in care homes and other community sessions.  

Special guest....

Image of Santa Claus

Help support our work in local communities.

Home Comforts & Joy

Download your Sing-A-Long lyric sheet

Join in with some well loved carols from the comfort of your couch.
There are many benefits of singing, including:

1. Singing releases endorphins and oxytocin (also known as the cuddle hormone)
2. Singing improves cognition - helping you think a little clearer
3. Singing lowers your blood pressure
4. Singing tones up your facial muscles
5. Singing develops the lungs and gives you better posture
6. Singing brings people together and creates a sense of community

Go for it, sing to your hearts content!

Festive Recipe Ideas to try at Home

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

This easy slow cooker mulled wine recipe can be made while you get on with trimming the tree and decorating the house. All you need is half a bottle of wine, a handful of spices and some citrus fruit.

Preparation time

less than 30 mins

Cooking time

less than 10 mins

Serves

Serves 2

Glass of mulled Wine

 

Ingredients
½ bottle red wine
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise
2 cloves
1 orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
50g/1¾oz brown sugar

Method
Combine all the ingredients in your slow cooker and cook on low until warm (1-2 hours, depending on your slow cooker). Alternatively, place all of the ingredients into a saucepan and simmer gently for 6-8 minutes, without boiling.

To serve, pour the mulled wine into heatproof glasses.

This is an Ainsley Harriot recipe that can be found on the BBC Good Food Website.

Polar Bear Peppermint Creams

We're in love with these cute minty treats that the kids can get involved in making. If you want a more classic cream, coat pieces in melted dark chocolate.

Ingredients
250g icing sugar
1 egg white, beaten
few drops of peppermint essence
15 chocolate sweets (we used Waitrose blue and green chocolate beans)

Image of peppermint creams that look like polar bear faces

Method
STEP 1
Sieve the icing sugar into a large bowl. Mix in the egg white, a little at a time – stop adding it when you have a soft dough that feels like plasticine.

STEP 2
Add 3 drops of the peppermint essence, mix well and taste. Add another drop if it isn’t minty enough.

STEP 3
Roll half the mixture into 15 balls, about the size of cherry tomatoes, then flatten them with your hand to make the bear heads.

STEP 4
Place on sheets of baking parchment on a large board or tray. Using half the remaining mixture, make blueberry-sized balls and flatten them out onto the heads to make snouts. Add chocolate sweets for the noses.

STEP 5
Use the rest of the mixture to make the ears. Shape them into tiny balls and press them gently into the top of the heads with your fingertips. Use a cocktail stick to shape the eyes.

STEP 6
Leave the polar bears to dry for 3-4 hrs, or overnight. Eat within 1 month.

This recipe can be found on the BBC Good Food Website.