THE Ridgeway Singers & Band, led by local musicians Tim Laycock and Phil Humphries, will be staging a West Gallery Christmas concert in Dorchester.

The concert will be a blend of Dorset-linked carols, folk songs, traditional music and entertaining tales.
These include a joyful version of Hark the Herald Angels Sing from Durweston and Rejoice Ye Tenants of the Earth, one of the favourite carols of the Melstock Quire in Thomas Hardy’s much-loved Christmas classic Under the Greenwood Tree.
Wintery songs include A Song for Loders by the Cotswold poet Leonard Clark, with a melody by Tim Laycock. This lovely piece evokes a snowy December in rural West Dorset: ‘From Yondover to Askerswell, the lanterns burn for wand’ring sheep’.
Music played by the band includes The January Waltz written by Dorset composer Nick Dunckley, and Thomas Hardy’s favourite hornpipe Enrico.

The Ridgeway Singers and Band are at the Dorford Centre – opposite Top O’ Town car park – DT1 1RR on Wednesday 21 December at 7.30pm. Tickets priced adults £10, under-18s £5, are available via ridgeway singersandband.org/ or phone 01305 852826. Seasonal refreshments will be available.