So we’re off to Uppingham’s Crown Inn, a regular venue for bands and singers. I was not attending a gig but catching up with the InhamSingers. They are the brainchild of Kirstie Lawton and Thomas Heath, who sought to help people celebrate their natural singing voice by creating an open-to-all, mixed choir for the village of Bisbrooke. It was an idea that caught on. 

The night I attended was the second trial week, aiming to expand the project to include Uppingham. It was such a success that I could not get in the door of The Crown’s Music Room. Due to the sheer number of enthusiastic singers present, I had to perch on a stool in the doorway. Paradoxically, such was the popularity of the evening that the Uppingham event has had to relocate back to Bisbrooke Church to cope with the numbers!

Conductor Thomas Heath

Thomas Heath conducts the choir, guiding them through a mixed repertoire of popular numbers sung acapella. The evening I was there, the songs ranged from Carly Simon, Bill Withers and Leonard Cohen to The Beatles. There was also the very apt Ella Fitzgerald classic ‘The only thing better than singing is more singing’, about which Thomas says: ‘this brilliant arrangement by Penny Stone has become our motto.’

The evident joy of the singers, the great mix of material and Thomas’s relaxed leadership led to a rousing evening of song. All to be expected from a group named after the Inhams paths, linking Bisbrooke to Uppingham, where you can still hear skylarks singing their hearts out.

Thomas has a busy life in addition to the InhamSingers. He lives in Bisbrooke with his young family, and runs his own communications and training company, Uppingham-based The Art of Explaining, so his daily commute is walking those Inhams paths. He is also the drummer for Rutland’s indie-folk rock band The Lokeys, who will be performing at Uppingham Town Hall on Saturday 14 June to launch their new album.

However, that is only scratching the surface of Thomas’s colourful musical life. He has been involved in all kinds of carnival events in the past, particularly during his time leading the Nottingham School of Samba. In that role, he led hundreds of drummers, dressed as Robin Hood, samba-ing into Nottingham Castle. I would like to have seen that.

How to Join

But back to the InhamSingers… If you like singing and love the idea of getting together to create some harmony, why not give them a try? Bisbrooke is very easy to get to, the first session is free, and it’s only £5 a time thereafter. It is also a great way to make new friends over a glass of wine (or something softer) in a welcoming song and laughter-filled atmosphere whilst giving your mind, body and spirit a great workout. 

FIND OUT MORE:

• For details and dates, call Thomas Heath on 07966 217538.

• The Lokeys are live in concert at Uppingham Town Hall on Saturday 14 June from 8pm. Tickets: £10. For full information, email lokeysbandrutland@gmail.com