THE singers from Ross-on-Wye-based Border Belles Choir are taking part in a 12-hour Singathon on Sunday, September 6.

The singing challenge is being staged at the Corn Exchange between 8am and 8pm. The mental health choir will be joined by lots of other acts during the day, including Ross Folk Choir, Roaring Megs, the Harmony Singers and The Good Day Choir.

As part of the preparations for the singathon, members have not only been attending rehearsals with many taking part in the recent Proms in the Park in Ross and a contingent of 38 travelling to France for an international festival in the little town of Caudies de Fenouilledes which is in the Pyrenees-Orientales area of the county.

The Border Belles joined with singers from all over the world, Canada, USA, Belgium, Portugal and took part in the yearly Sing out Strong residential weekend.

The Ross women were hosted by a French choir, the Choeur de la Boulzane, and spent the weekend rehearsing and then performing a joint concert with the Choeur.

The concert was incredible with the French audience being so appreciative they were up on their feet, dancing and singing along - and some of them even had the courage to come up on stage to join the Belles for their finale ‘Oh Happy Day’.

The choir’s musical director Emma Rowland-Elsen said: “In my 25 years of conducting, I have never seen a reaction like it from any crowd.

“Our hosts were extremely generous to us all weekend by opening up their homes to us. The French choir is planning a visit to Ross-on-Wye next summer when we hope to return the hospitality.

“This November I am celebrating my 25 years as a conductor with a gala concert at St Mary's Church with 100 singers. So, all in all, it’s been a great year and next Sunday’s SIngathon fund raiser is the cherry on top.”