A TINY Culm Valley village hosted the South West Baroque Orchestra for the first time for a Christmas carols concert played on traditional instruments.

The orchestra, which will celebrate its second anniversary in January, performed by candlelight in Culmstock Village Hall to an audience of about 30 people who also enjoyed tea and mince pies afterwards.

The event was free of charge with a retiring collection held to support people in Ukraine who have been fighting a Russian invasion almost since the day the orchestra was formed.

The concert featured traditional carols sung by bass Alan Rowland and music from The Messiah and The Christmas Concerto by Corelli, Symphonie de Noël by de Brossard, Corette’s Noël Suisse, Ding Dong Merrily on High, and more. 

The only Westcountry period instrument orchestra of its kind, it was formed to play Baroque music to a high standard, particularly for people living in areas which do not usually experience concerts of early music. 

It is Somerset-based and directed by Michael Williamson and Jacqui Robertson-Wade with members travelling from as far as Cornwall, Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Bristol, and Gloucestershire.

The orchestra has performed in Wells, Exeter, and Truro Cathedrals, and in Sherborne Abbey, and specialises in afternoon tea concerts.

It welcomes new applicants, who do not need to audition but can attend to play for a rehearsal to try out the experience of baroque playing techniques.

In particular, the orchestra is encouraging modern string players to go along and try a baroque instrument.

An orchestra application form can be found here.