A GROUP of professional and amateur musicians have got together in Sully to bring a brilliant collection of performances to residents for the festive season.

In November one of the organisers Veronique Siegler said parents at her children’s school and other residents in the community decided they could spread some Christmas cheer in the form of a Youtube clip every evening at 7pm for the whole of December up to Christmas.

Mother-of-three Mrs Siegler, who stresses while she speaks on behalf of the group it is very much a team effort, is an amateur flutist who says the group wanted to help residents and musicians struggling with the impact of the pandemic, and to raise money for charity.

Penarth Times: L-R: Martin, Luca, Paul, Pascal and VeroniqueL-R: Martin, Luca, Paul, Pascal and Veronique

The three charities chosen, which the group has raised nearly £500 for so far, are Ty Hafan, MIND, and the Royal Society of Musicians for Great Britain.

The videos feature professional violinist Simon Carter, professional singers the Shewans couple, Lyn and Jez from the Creatures of Habit, former Moulin Rouge dancer Rachel Brennan, professional Flamenco dancer Kaarina Ruta, and even an electric bagpipe performed by the Kramer family.

Penarth Times: The Kramer FamilyThe Kramer Family

“But it’s not just about professional performers, we’ve got lots of families involved who have never done anything like this before,” said Mrs Siegler. 

“It’s more about giving people here something to smile about and look forward to every evening.”

Penarth Times: Phil MaunderPhil Maunder

Neighbour Phil Maunder, who the Sieglers met while clapping for the NHS earlier in the pandemic, played his baryton.

Mrs Siegler, who is from France and hasn’t seen her family other than her children and husband since 2019, added: “It’s been a difficult year but we want to be as positive as we can be. We don’t want to look back on this year with negative feelings.

Penarth Times: Critical care doctor Matt Morgan read a passage from the Covid Time, recorded by Jez, Lyn and Matt CrudeCritical care doctor Matt Morgan read a passage from the Covid Time, recorded by Jez, Lyn and Matt Crude

“We wanted to create a memory of 2020 that isn’t gloomy. We want people to look back on this year and rather than think all about the pandemic, they can think too about how this group came together to help people at Christmas.

Penarth Times: Pascal SieglerPascal Siegler

“I think it’s made us all feel very grateful to live in Sully.”

On Christmas Eve at 7pm some of the performers will publish their recording of ’12 Day’s of Christmas’.

Visit Sully Performers Facebook page at facebook.com/sullyperformers to watch the videos, or the Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZhgAO-Hw9zzeZsp32o1GFQ.

To find out more or to donate go to justgiving.com/fundraising/sully-advent-family-entertainers-safe for Ty Hafan, justgiving.com/account/your-pages/Sully-Advent-Family-Entertainers for MIND, and justgiving.com/fundraising/sully-advent-family-entertainers-concerts for the Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain.