Salcombe Community Gospel Choir set the Love Train performances at Falmouth Music Festival full steam ahead. Tuesday 9th August saw the Gospel day packed with enthusiastic music followers.

Several workshops ran throughout the day organised by the various gospel leaders and each well attended concluded with full on participation by the audience singing, clapping and dancing. The evening performances hosted by stage and radio celebrity Johnny Cowling was kicked off by a fabulous performance by the Salcombe Community Gospel choir. They sang from their own repertoire and also later alongside the Callington Gospel Choir raising the roof of the massive waterside marquee. After performances by Johnny Cowling and the hosts, Falmouth Gospel Choir, the 500 strong audience danced late into the night to music played by DJ Kris Kool.

Steve Dawe took over the Salcombe Community Gospel Choir in January this year after it had effectively ended at lockdown with no leader. Its search for a new musical director ended when choir member Jill Beavis contacted Steve Dawe who has been running the Callington Gospel Choir for over 18 years and she was elated to find Steve willing to take on board the Salcombe Choir. Steve has been proactive in the world of gospel having started the Callington choir when his dying father advised him to follow his dream before it was too late. There were no gospel choirs in the South West at that time so Steve bit the bullet and started singing gospel with a couple of friends and a few more gathered around. His initiative and enthusiasm were recognised by the famous London Gospel Choir who provided training for him and for some of his choirs’ early members who went onto run workshops for other choirs including Salcombe. Steve and his Callington choir are now a highly respected within and outside the south west having performed in other countries as well as at home and have raised a lot of money for charities along the way. The choir also work with people struggling with difficulties such as autism and Alzimers were music is seen as beneficial.

Salcombe Community Gospel Choir meets on a Wednesday evening during term times in Holy Trinity Church Sacombe and as a community choir all are welcome to join. The Autumn term starts Wednesday 7th September 7.30. There is a nominal term fee. . Members come on a Wednesday just for the joy of singing with others but also have the opportunity to sing at weddings, funerals, concerts and events if they wish.

Details of the choir available -Jill Beavis email [email protected] or Nola Baylis [email protected]