I'm writing this on behalf of my wife, Anne Gregson, about the new singing group she's setting up in Bradford on Avon to learn some of the unusual Christmas carols that we sing in the pubs in Bradford on Avon. The first session will be in the Saxon Church on Sunday afternoon on 24 September at 2pm, and depending on how many come we'll decide where best to have sessions in later weeks.

Every year since 2010 we have had some wonderful sessions in what is becoming a continuing tradition of singing unusual carols in Bradford on Avon, including many local to the area, in glorious harmonies. We have three "Sings" on Sunday afternoons in December in a different pub each week. The harmonies have been taught to local choirs by their leaders and everyone sings their hearts out. The atmosphere is electric and a really uplifting experience.

The carols are not from the standard repertoire of Christmas carols, but many of them originated in the 18th or early 19th century at a time when most churches had a wooden gallery at the back where choirs, accompanied by bands of mixed instruments, led the singing. We also have a band of mixed instruments that play along. We have no religious affiliation but sing the carols for the beauty and joy of them.

The idea was inspired by the tradition of singing local carols in pubs around South Yorkshire. However we wanted our carols to be as local to Bradford on Avon as possible. Anne researched local carols from Wiltshire and Somerset and we made these the core of our repertoire. The closest carol we found was "Carlingcott", from the village of the same name which is only about eleven miles from Bradford on Avon.

This year we have decided to form a separate singing group to learn the carols together with their harmonies so that people who are not members of the choirs can join in. People don't have to commit to attending every week and we won't be charging money. All parts will be taught 'by ear' so participants don't need to be able to read music.

For further information go to our website Bradford on Avon Carols.