Every Tuesday at Carlton Junior School, Major Oak Chorus, a barbershop singing group come together to sing their hearts out.
The choir has been going strong for 20 years and started with husbands being inspired by their wives.
Trevor Mills, 69, from Woodthorpe, and a founding member was one of those people.
He explained: “Lace City Chorus was a women’s choir which started 25 years ago, so they ended up putting together a choir for all the husbands.”
He continued: “It kind of took off from there.”
In 2026, only three of the original members of the first choir are still active in the choir having lost some of their membership during the Covid years.
He said: “We grew a lot 10 years ago but then Covid happened and a lot of the younger people sadly left so we are now looking at recruiting people from all demographics.”
Mr Mills believes that being a part of the Major Oak Chorus can bring great benefits to people.
He said: “It’s a great way of getting to know people and I think all of us feel a lot better after singing.”
“From personal experience, I feel a lot more happier after singing and it gives me a proper mood boost,” he added.
According to The Brain Charity, singing boosts endorphins and serotonin which can bring feel-good happy hormones to the brain.
Major Oak Chorus sing many songs together such as Amarillo by Tony Christie.
The choir competes in local barbershop competitions and national ones such as Sing Convention
“Coming together to sing is a great way to make friends.”
Brian Platts
Age UK have revealed by 2034 there will be 1.2 million people over 65 that will feel lonely if the problem isn’t fixed as soon as they can.
In the same report nine in 10 older people often feel lonely or depressed compared to four in 10 of those who are hardly ever alone.
Brian Platts, 72, Southwell, lead singer of Major Oak Chorus thinks places like this can fight against loneliness epidemic amongst people over the age of 65.
He said: “Coming together to sing is a great way to make friends as we are all united in putting on a show.”
Mr Platts continued: “We are very welcoming to everyone so we are not like other barbershop groups where you have to prove yourself.”
“We are a cross-section of society so we all have our problems and issues that society can bring, so I am very sure we have been very helpful for quite a few of the members.”
Mr Platts was very proud of the type of people who have joined the group and feel welcomed to be there.”
He said: “We have had neurodiverse people who have joined that were too scared to come into the hall to then being able to sing on stage in front of hundreds.”
“We have members with Parkinson’s disease and it has been great for them as well and I am really happy that they feel welcomed and happy to be here,” he added.
Mr Platts is hopeful that anyone out there who is feeling lonely and is a scared to join can break down their potential fears.
He said: “We don’t do solos and we don’t put anyone on the spot so everyone is welcomed to join.”
He continued: “We are just blokes from all walks of life and I hope Major Oak Chorus can fight against the figures about loneliness.”
If you are interested in taking part in Major Oak Chorus every Tuesday at 7:15 PM at Carlton Junior School: NG4 1QT
Contact: 07957838387
The choir is currently looking to recruit new members from all demographics.
New members don’t have to take part in auditions
