The Goldies Charity, well known and loved for its popular fun social Sing&Smile sing-alongs across England & Wales, will be bringing communities together to celebrating the Kings Coronation in style this May!
The Golden-Oldies Charity, more fondly referred to as ‘Goldies’, was founded by Bath-based musician Grenville Jones in 2007. Goldies community-based Sing&Smile activities now number over 120 groups across England and Wales in Libraries, Community Centres and Church halls.
Goldies will be celebrating the Coronation weekendat all their groups with a special booklet of songs filled with popular hits from the Kings memorable years, including some of his all-time favourite artists – like the Three Degrees who performed at his 30th Birthday party in 1978.
Cheryl, Programme Area Leader for Wales Cymru commented; “It’s fantastic that we will be celebrating the Kings Coronation at our sessions. It’s a historic event that means a great deal to many of our participants, I’ve had some really positive feedback and so many ideas about what they would like to do at their groups, May will be an eventful joyful month.”
Each group will be doing something a little different; a Royalty Theme with cakes and snacks to share and Royalty memorabilia. Joanne, South Somerset Leader said; “Chard are really looking forward to making our May session special, we’re extending it and will all be wearing red, white and blue. We’re bringing in some snacks and look forward to adding a Royalty Quiz into the proceedings.”
Combating isolation in local communities with FUN and UPLIFTING musical activities, Goldies sessions are filled with laughter and chat whilst singing along to the popular hits of the 50s onwards. Popular songs featuring artists such as the charity’s Patron Sir Cliff Richard, Tom Jones, Elvis, Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark and many more.
Stephanie leads a Gloucestershire group; “I’ve Just received my coronation pack, how wonderful. There are so many more people joining our session at the moment, it’s great to see people feeling ready to re-join their local community after the pandemic. Everyone comments on how fantastic a jolly good sing makes them feel.”
SINGING IS GOOD FOR YOU! Apart from being fun and uplifting, singing has lots of health benefits? A good sing can stimulate your immune responses, release pain relieving endorphins, improve sleep and reduce snoring, improve lung capacity and posture, tone facial and stomach muscles. Singing is a great stress reliever too and is well known for improving mental health, supporting those experiencing grief and bereavement, and developing a sense of belonging and connectivity.
Monica, a Session Leader in Yorkshire said; “I’ve had the Coronation pack in post, what a lovely idea. My groups will be bringing in some snacks and some items for a raffle. They will love the pamphlet and several have asked for Goldies T-Shirts too. We love Goldies and we are proud to be part of this great charity.”
Our thanks to St Monica trust in Bristol for supporting our Sing&Smile sessions in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and B&NES with a small grant from their Coronation Grant scheme.
In Wales the Moondance Foundation is the fantastic supporter.
Goldies Sing&Smile sessions are open to everyone, giving people “something to look forward to”, a chance to get out, make new friends and most importantly, have fun. Goldies is not a choir, you don’t have to be able to sing to join, just love music and socialising. There is a recommended £3 donation to attend.
The Charity is always looking to recruit new session leaders and volunteers and to hear from organisations who work with older isolated people. Visit the website www.golden-oldies.org.uk , call the office on 01761 470006 or email events@golden-oldies.org.uk for more information.
Looking for a fun daytime social group? Why not join your local Goldies Coronation Celebration Sing&Smile session?
ENGLAND
B&NES
Bath, Odd Down – St Philips & St James Church, BA2 2QF – first Tuesday of each month from 10.30am
Bath, Larkhall – Hanover Court Community Room, BA1 6QX – first Tuesday of each month from 2.00pm
Bath, Weston – All Saints Centre, BA1 4BX – second Tuesday of each month from 2.00pm
Keynsham – Key Centre, BS31 2JA – last Friday of each month from 2.00pm
Stanton Drew – Village Hall, BS39 4EL – fourth Wednesday of each month from 11.00am
Timsbury – Conygre Hall, BA2 0JQ – second Wednesday of each month from 11.00am
Bristol & South Gloucestershire
Brentry – Henbury & Brentry Community Centre, BS10 7HG – first Thursday of each month from 11.00am
Filton – FACE at Elm Park, BS34 7PS – first Wednesday of each month from 2.30pm
Knowle – Inns Court Community Centre, BS4 1TR – various Tuesdays & Wednesdays (see website) from 11.00am
Lawrence Weston – Blaise Weston Court Resident’s Lounge, BS11 0AF – third Tuesday from 2.00-3.00pm
Shirehampton – Tithe Barn, BS11 0DE – first Wednesday of each month from 10.30am
Stoke Gifford – St Michael’s Church Centre, BS34 8PD – first Tuesday of each month from 2.00pm
Yate – Cambrian Green Court Community Room, BS37 5TR – third Thursday of each month from 10.30am
Cornwall
Wadebridge – John Betjeman Centre, PL27 7BX – first & third Thursdays of each month from 2.00pm
Devon
Exeter – The Beacon Centre, EX4 8LZ – third Tuesday of each month from 2.00pm
Topsham – Nancy Potter House, EX3 0DX – Taster session on Friday 17th March from 10.30am
East London
Havering – Havering Asian Social Welfare Association, RM12 5NB – second Monday of each month from 1.00pm Also a popular weekly Bollywood Sing&Dance session every Wednesday from 2.00pm
Essex
Braintree – Braintree Library, CM7 3YL – first Monday of each month from 10.30am
Chelmsford – Beaulieu Community Centre, CM1 6AU – third Wednesday of each month from 11.30am
Halstead – Halstead Library, CO9 1HU – second Monday of each month from 11.00am
Harlow – Playhouse Theatre 2, CM20 1LS – second Wednesday of each month from 12.30pm
Hawkwell – Emmanuel Church, SS5 4NR – second Tuesday of each month from 2.00pm
Mendip
Shepton Mallet – Salvation Army Hall, BA4 5BU – first Friday of each month from 2.00pm
Wells – Methodist Church Hall, BA5 1UH – first Friday of each month from 2.30pm
North Somerset
Clevedon – Clifton Court Community Room, BS21 6QS – first Tuesday of each month from 10.30am
Nailsea – Methodist Church, BS48 2DS – last Thursday of each month from 10.30am
Pill – Pill Methodist Church, BS20 0ES – second Thursday of each month from 2.00pm
South Somerset
Chard – Crowshute House, TA20 2EZ – first Thursday of each month from 10.30am
Crewkerne – The Henhayes Centre, TA18 8DA – fourth Thursday of each month from 2.00pm
Queen Camel – Cleaveside Community Room, BA22 7PR – second Thursday of each month from 2.00pm
Yeovil – Mudford Recreation Centre, BA21 4AW – monthly Thursdays (see website for dates) from 11.00am
Staffordshire
Rugeley – St Paul’s Community Room, WS15 2EH – third Tuesday of each month from 11.00am
Uttoxeter – Methodist Church, ST14 7JQ – last Monday of each month from 11.00am
Suffolk
Hadleigh – United Reform Church Community Room, IP7 5DL – first Monday of each month from 2.00pm
Wiltshire & Swindon
Calne – The Marden House Centre, SN11 0JJ – second Friday of each month from 2.00pm
Codford – Tuesday Café at Wylye Coyotes Afterschool Club, BA12 0PN – third Tuesday of each month from 10.45am
Corsham – Pound Arts Centre, SN13 9HX – first Monday of each month from 2.00pm
Downton – Memorial Hall, SP5 3NB – fourth Wednesday of each month from 10.00am
Salisbury – Methodist Church, SP1 1EF – second Monday of each month from 2.00pm
Swindon – Coleview Community Centre, SN3 4AS – first Thursday of each month from 2.30pm
Warminster – United Church, BA12 8QB – first Thursday of each month from 2.30pm
Yorkshire
Crosshills – St Peter’s Methodist Church, BD20 8TF – first Tuesday of each month from 2.00pm
Eldwick – The Eldwick Church, BD16 3EQ – second Tuesday of each month from 2.00pm
Steeton – Methodist Church, BD20 6TU – third Tuesday of each month from 2.00pm
WALES
BLAENAU GWENT
Tredegar Library, The Circle, Tredegar, NP22 3PS – Second Tuesday of the month – from 12.00pm
BRIDGEND
St Theodore’s Church, High Street, Kenfig Hill, CF33 6DR – Second Tuesday of the month from 11.00am
CAERPHILLY
Ael Y Bryn Sports and Community Centre, Aneurin Terrace, Rhymney, Tredegar, NP22 5DR – Last Wednesday of the month from12.00pm
Vanguard Centre, United Reformed Church, Van Road, CF83 1JZ – Second Monday of the month from 11.00am
CARDIFF
Ararat Baptist Church, Plas Treoda, Whitchurch, CF14 1PT – First Monday of the month from 2.00pm
Rhydypennau Library, Llandennis Rd, Rhydypennau, CF23 6EG – EVERY Thursday from 10.30am
Rhiwbina Hub, Pen-Y-Dre, Rhiwbina, CF14 6EH – Third Wednesday of the month from 10.30am
Cardiff Central Library, The Hayes, Cardiff – Second Monday of the month from 12.30pm
The Powerhouse, Roundwood, Llanedeyrn, CF23 9PN – First Wednesday of the month – from 10.30am
Canton Library, Library St, Cardiff CF5 1QD – First Tuesday of the month – from 2.30pm
Whitchurch Hub, Park Road, Whitchurch, CF14 7XA – Last Tuesday of the month – from 10.30am
St Mellons Hub, 30 Crickhowell Road Crickhowell Road, Cardiff CF3 0EF – Last Tuesday of the month – from 11.00am
Ely & Caerau Hub, Cowbridge Road West, Cardiff. CF5 5BQ – Second Friday of the month from 10.00am
CARMARTHENSHIRE
Holy Trinity Church Community Hall, Church Lane, Newcastle Emlyn, SA38 9AB – Last Monday of the month – from 11.00am
Canolfan John Burns Centre, Parc House, Kidwelly, SA17 5AB – First Tuesday of every month – from 1.30pm
Heol Goffa, Llanelli SA15 3LS – 3rd Thursday of every month – from 10:30am
Ty Dyffryn, Rhodfa Frank, Ammanford, SA18 2QE – 2nd Wednesday of the month – from 1.30pm
CEREDIGION
Maes Mwldan, Bath House Road, Cardigan, SA43 1JZ – Last Thursday of the month – from 2.00pm
Tabernacle Chapel, 14 Thomas St, Pontardawe, SA8 4HD – First Thursday of the month – from 11.00am
PEMBROKESHIRE
Bro Preseli, Heol Parc Y Ffair, Crymych, Pembrokeshire, SA41 3SJ – 2nd Tuesday of the month – from 2.00pm
THE VALE
Lantonian Hall, behind Llantwit Major Rugby FC, off Boverton Road, Llantwit Major, CF61 1TF – Third Monday of the month – from 10.30am
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