THE Kildare Lodge, in Minehead, hosted an evening of community singing to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day and raised £145 for the Royal British Legion into the bargain.

Minehead Street Choir helped out and the pub’s piano was put to good use.

Nigel Neill, who runs the choir, said: “Sarah and Harvey Pyle were perfect hosts and we all crammed into the main bar which has great acoustics and is a really fun place to sing.”

Sarah offered inspired solo singing of ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’, originally released in 1939 and a wartime favourite, while ‘White Cliffs of Dover’ naturally took pride of place.

Beryl Priddle showed her style, taking a solo in ‘Daisy Daisy’, a duet shared with Dave ‘The Pipe’ Polehill, a particularly special moment in the evening.

A respectful 10 minutes of relaxed choral singing was offered with Dona Nobis Pacem (Mozart) and The Farm’s ‘All Together Now, accompanied by Kate Ross on the cello.

Tony Evans, of Lapwing Close, Minehead, also offered a poignant moment of reflection with Katherine Jenkins’ ‘Requiem for a Soldier’ offered as a poem rather than a song.

Beryl wrapped up the evening with ‘We’ll Meet Again’, accompanied by the massed choirs of The Kildare Lodge.

Minehead Street Choir meets on Thursday evenings at 7 pm in the United Reformed Church Hall on the corner of Bancks Street and Irnham Road, usually followed by a wander along to The Kildare Lodge.

Nigel said: “Minehead is particularly well served with singing and music groups of so many different kinds.

“We are truly blessed to live in such a musical community.”

Anybody who wants to join the street choir should attend on a Thursday evening at 7 pm or email [email protected] for more information.