Town centre transformed into Singing Streets as choirs take over Wrexham

Wrexham was full of music and community spirit yesterday, with huge crowds turning out to enjoy the town’s now annual ‘Singing Streets Festival’.

Now in its fourth year, the event brought together 30 choirs from across Wrexham, Wales and the North West for a day of live entertainment.

Across the town the choirs entertained the crowds – with mini performance spaces at Wrexham Museum, Hope Street/ Queen Street junction, Lord Street by the Miners’ sculpture, Queen’s Square, Tŷ Pawb and Eagles Meadow.

Amongst those performing today were the Wrexham One World Community Choir, Delta Academy, Tenovus Cancer Care, Only Boys Aloud, Wrexham County Youth Choir, Victorian CP School Choir and Wrexham Singing Hands.

One of the main highlights of the event was the mass singalong in Queens Square branded the ‘Big Sing’ – which saw choirs and members of the public join together to perform a renditions of Calon Lân, We Shall Overcome, Ben E King’s Stand By Me and The Beatles’ Let It Be.

Below are some images of the day, and a video where we speak to the co-organisers about the event:

Mr Lucas was keen to thank everyone who helped make the day such a success, “Wrexham Singing Streets is a wonderful celebration of music and all that is good about our town,” he said. “It is also a real team effort. The event not be possible without the fantastic support and backing of our key partners and sponsors, our superb choirs and – of course – the people who turn up in great numbers every year to enjoy the music on offer and join in during the big sing.

“I’d like to say a huge ‘thank-you’ to everyone involved. I am thrilled the rain held off and everything went smoothly.”

Tenovus Choir performing on Lord Street:

As well as Mr Lucas & his team, several partners and sponsors worked together over several months to plan the event. They include Wrexham Glyndŵr University, Ty Cerdd, the Arts Council of Wales, Gateway Church, Hays Travel, Rawson Digital, the Rotary Club of Wrexham Erddig, Welsh Government, Nightsafe Group, Wrexham Council and Wrexham Business Group. Sound was coordinated by John Jones Quality Acoustics and a team of volunteers – including helpers from Wrexham Glyndŵr University and Wrexham Community Choir – assisted on the day.

Only Boys Aloud performing on Queens Square:

Wrexham Glyndŵr University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maria Hinfelaar, said: “It has been another wonderful year for Wrexham’s Singing Streets festival. Each year, the event draws hundreds of people together for a day of positivity and fun.
“Days like this show the true strength of community spirit our town has, and I’m delighted that, once again, Wrexham Glyndŵr University has been able to lend the support of both staff and students to help make Singing Streets a success.”

A total of 30 choirs performed on the day, making this year’s Singing Streets the biggest one yet.

The majority were from the Wrexham area, though choirs also came from Flintshire, Chester and Ellesmere Port. They performed a wide range of different music, from traditional choral songs to more contemporary material including pop and rock. There were signing choirs, who use sign language to communicate the lyrics of songs.

Big Sing on Queens Square:

The event also featured an appearance from the Wrexham One Love Choir, which is for people who have experienced homelessness, addiction or mental health difficulties.

The choir, which was founded by Mr Lucas, made its public debut at last year’s Singing Streets and has given several performances since.
“We were worried about the weather but, thankfully, the worst of the rain avoided Wrexham,” said Mr Lucas. “It meant the event took place in dry, sunny weather – and the choirs certainly brought some sunshine to our town centre.”