CORNISH people are being urged to raise their voices and sing their hearts out for the NHS on Thursday.
Inspired by last week’s mass expression of gratitude for the frontline workers, when the nation came out on doorsteps to clap, Lostwithiel electrician Ian Holding had the idea that people could sing their thanks to the tune of ’Hey Jude’.
Choirmaster Emma Mansfield has created some fitting lyrics and a Cornish backdrop to a Vimeo video which everyone can use to prepare..
Emma Mansfield has previously coordinated a number of Cornwall-wide vocal and composition projects with schools and local communities. She now leads Lost in Song a friendly choir, with members ranging from 18 to 80 years old, who simply love to sing and celebrate music.
Lost in Song is often at the heart of the town’s community events and as a result, Lostwithel has a set of singers who are dispersed throughout the town. Thursday’s event will give everyone in area the opportunity to continue their singing together, in an appropriately socially distanced way.
Ian said, “We live overlooking the valley of Lostwithiel and last Thursday was just a stunning display of support with our whole community clapping, shouting and whooping their gratefulness for the nurses, doctors and all their teams, and support workers, right on the frontline.
’Our great nation has in dark times of past been protected by our brave service men and women both at home and abroad, however this time our lovely nurses and doctors and all NHS staff have in effect become ‘our army’, armed not with weapons, or artillery, but with knowledge, commitment and a whole lot of love! We shall forever be in their debt.”
Emma’s initial Facebook post of the song immediately prompted requests for this to be shared Cornwall-wide, so the idea has now become an opportunity to fill Cornish towns, villages and country lanes with the sound of their thanks, alongside their heart-warming clapping.
Emma Mansfield says, “We have a wonderful community of singers right across Cornwall, with such a high number of community choirs, and male voice choirs. I’m hoping we can activate singing leaders in as many streets as possible across the county, sending the song into the night air, around the hillsides and the sea that surrounds us. This is all about us using what we can to join together, whilst we are forced apart, making sure as many of our local NHS and frontline legends hear and see our heartfelt support for all they are doing.
’We’d love for people to video and share their Cornwall Sings for the NHS experience, hashtagging #clapforourcarers and #cornwallsingsfortheNHS so we can find them, and get these lovely clips to those who are hard at work, or getting some rare, vital rest, whilst the 8pm tribute occurs.’