SINGERS from Musselburgh are taking to their ‘Jingle Bus’ to spread some choral Christmas cheer around East Lothian.

The Clark Community Choir is back in action after the easing of Covid-19 restrictions and, after performing at Haddington Farmers’ Market, Santa’s Grotto at the Ship Inn in Musselburgh, and the Christmas lights switch-on in Tranent last weekend, the group is set to tour the county this Saturday.

The singers will be on Musselburgh High Street, beside B&M, 10-10.30am; outside the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, 11.30am-12.30pm; at The Mart, East Linton, 1.15-1.45pm; outside Haddington Corn Exchange, 2.15-3pm; and at the Ship Inn, Musselburgh, 4-4.30pm.

Suzanne Walker, a committee member, said: “We are really excited to be out performing for this year, as we haven’t been out since March 2020.”

During the Covid-19 lockdown, the choir, led by choir leader Kirsty Robertson, kept up regular practice sessions via Zoom, enjoyed online quiz nights, musical evenings and even a Christmas party.

“We were delighted to have our first in-person practice in June this year,” said Suzanne.

“Newhailes House was kind enough to let us practise on their front lawn on a Sunday evening so we could socially distance but sing together.

“I think we even entertained some of the evening walkers.”

She added: “We would love to help make this Christmas extra special for everyone.”

Performances will continue at the following venues: Ship Inn, Musselburgh, Sunday, December 5, 2.30-4pm; Ship Inn, Sunday, December 12, 2.30-4pm; Haddington Farmers’ Market, Saturday, December 18, 11-11.30am; Ship Inn, Sunday, December 19, 2.30-4pm.

The choir, whose motto is ‘generations singing together’, was formed in 2009, following the death of Robert Clark, founder of Musselburgh’s St Ninian’s Junior Concert Party in 1956.

Mr Clark, a chemistry teacher at both Musselburgh Grammar and Newbattle High Schools, also took children all over Britain and Europe on holidays.

He retired at the age of 65 and, six months after being named Musselburgh’s Citizen of the Year in 2009, he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 66 – just two weeks before a grand reunion was to be held for the concert party’s 50th birthday.

Following the reunion, a choir was formed by former and current concert party members.

An invitation was thrown open to the community to join and the group was named the Clark Community Choir in tribute to Mr Clark.

The choir exists for anyone of any age, background or ability who enjoys singing, whether they consider themselves a ‘singaphobic’, an expert or somewhere in between.

It seeks to unite generations in a common purpose: singing popular music for pleasure.