RAF wives to be Christmas pop chart toppers

Members of Military Wives Choirs from all over the region, including RAF Cranwell, RAF Waddington and RAF Digby met at Lincoln Cathedral to promote the recording of their new album Home for Christmas. Photo shows Sue McIntyre singing a solo. Photo by Paul Saxby, RAF College Cranwell. EMN-161116-171948001

The album, entitled Home For Christmas, is being released on Friday November 25, with the single, of the same name, released on December 2.

The two choirs, of wives, partners and other family members of serving personnel, held a launch event outside Lincoln Cathedral ahead of the release, joined by choirs of Waddington and Coningsby also involved in the album.

Sam Wildridge from the 30-strong Cranwell choir said: “It was a fun filled evening with mince pies and a sing song.”

There are 64 military wives choirs involved, with all Lincolnshire based choirs travelling to record two songs at a studio in York. Ding Dong Merrily On High was sung by the four from the county and then all 64 choirs sang on the Christmas single. Sam said: “It is a well known tune with our own words to it.”

There are 12 well known carols on the album, available for £9.99 from Amazon, some with updated lyrics reflecting what Christmas means to military families.

Sam said: “We are very excited about the album release and it was exciting being in a recording studio environment. We are just wives who sing and socialise as a support network.”

They will be singing the songs at their next performance at Gifted at the NCCD in Sleaford on December 3-4, in Sheffield Cathedral on December 6 and Belton House on December 20.