SALCOMBE Community Gospel Choir have released a new album, with all the profits going to the Chernobyl Children’s Life Line.

The CD, recorded earlier this year at Galmpton church, includes many popular favourites such as Amazing Grace, Hold On, Lean On Me, Total Praise and O Happy Day, as well as including a few new tracks, such as Shackles, Something Inside So Strong, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and Bring Me Little Water Silvy.

The CD has given the choir an opportunity to introduce its many new soloists, who have added a new dimension to the choir’s performance.

The CDs are on sale at Holy Trinity Church, Salcombe; Salcombe Tourist Information Centre and Kingsbridge Information Centre.

The choir formed in 2009, when a small group of singers gathered around the piano in Holy Trinity Church, Salcombe to try out a few tunes for the joy of singing.

Many wonderful people have helped SCGC along the way, and today the choir has a membership of approximately 60, with a busy summer schedule of bookings for weddings, local festivals and events.

This year, the choir will be remembering the Salcombe Lifeboat Disaster of 1916 by performing at various church remembrance services and events.

The CD was launched at a recent concert held at Holy Trinity Church, Salcombe on Thursday, June 9. The concert sold out and raised approximately £2,000 for the Salcombe Lifeboat.

Caroline Evans, director of the choir said: ‘The wonderful thing about gospel music is that it is fundamentally based on simple, repetitive tunes which are soulful, uplifting and moving with groove and rhythm to match.

‘We learn everything by ear and you can’t help but move to the music whilst you sing.

‘Many thanks go to Rob Wheeler for his patience, understanding and seemingly endless time in helping us get this wonderful new CD together.’

The choir’s members come from a variety of backgrounds – some local to Salcombe, some not. They meet on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church, Salcombe.

For further information, email [email protected] or phone the Holy Trinity Church office on 01548 842 626.