ROSS-on-Wye’s much-loved ladies’ choir, Border Belles, is heading into its busiest and most exciting winter season to date - and they’re inviting the local community to join them.

Known for their commitment to inclusion and mental health, the Belles have grown to a vibrant membership of 80 singers, all eager to share music, connection, and community spirit throughout the festive period.

Their season begins in style at the Ross Christmas Fayre on Sunday, November 30 where the choir will perform a joyful selection of festive favourites.

A week later, they return to St Mary’s Church in Ross on Saturday, December 6 at 7pm for their popular Annual Concert.

This year’s theme, A Christmas Carol of the Belles, promises a beautifully-crafted musical journey through Christmas past, present, and future.

Visitors to the town’s Christmas Tree Festival in the church will also find the Belles’ tree, which invites the public to write their treasured Christmas memories and hopes for the future onto a tag to be hung on the tree.

It’s a simple but heartfelt way of bringing the community together.

The choir rounds off 2025 with the Annual Charity Carol Crawl on December 18, taking music out into the town to raise funds and spirits in equal measure.

In January, the Belles will lend their voices to the flood-relief effort in Monmouth with a fundraising concert at St Mary’s Priory Church.

With many members living in Monmouth - and with conductor Emma Rowland-Elsen’s own daughter evacuated during the flooding - the cause is especially close to their hearts.

The Belles send warm Christmas wishes for a happy and healthy season to all their friends and supporters.

For event details, enquiries, and to sign up to their newsletter Belles Beat, visit the website borderbelles.square.site or call 07782 509219 for tickets.