The Winkleigh Singers is a Chamber Choir based in North Devon, rehearsing weekly on Monday evenings in Umberleigh.
Updated 23rd July 2026
ADVENT CONCERT
Saturday 21st November 2026 at 7.30 pm
Music by Bach and Handel especially chosen for the lead-up to Christmas.
With a line-up of fine soloists and Andrew Millington accompanying on th Father Willis organ.
St Michael & All Angels Church, Great Torrington
EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE from mid September 2026
from https://www.ticketsource.com/the-winkleigh-singers/t-xdazkax
A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
Sunday 20th December 2026 at 6.30 pm for about an hour and a quarter, with David Read, organ.
Carols for all to sing, choir “specials” and traditional readings.
A very popular event for Great Torrington and the wider North Devon community.
Free admission with a retiring collection in aid of St. Michael’s church funds..
We currently have space to accommodate a soprano, a tenor and a bass. We’d love it if you gave us a try!
Please contact us if you would like to join us.
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I much enjoyed the Nine Lessons and Carols at St Michael’s church yesterday evening. Please pass on my thanks to members of the choir, to Roland Smith and to the organist [David Read]. I thought the sacred carols sung jointly by the congregation and the WS choir – and enhanced by the choir’s descants – and the more secular carols sung by the WSs was a perfect combination in which to celebrate Christmas. I found myself walking home afterwards with a spring in my step and a renewed desire to offer ‘goodwill to all men’, and to women too of course! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year … and thanks again for an enchanting evening.
JH, via this website, 21 December 2025
I certainly did enjoy “Venus and Adonis” as well as the Pelham Humphrey and the Purcell … please pass on my congratulations to all for the “Venus and Adonis” evening and I would be glad to hear of future similar ventures.
RE, by email, 16 July 2024
“A great concert in Great Torrington. Well done. Thank you”
PV, Taddiport, by email, 18 December 2023
“I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed last night’s performance – well done. We didn’t expect a packed hall alth’ we know the Winkleigh Singers have a good following but this was a little different. Everybody was excellent.”
DH, by email, 4 July 2023
“Brilliant afternoon road trip to Devon to do some depping with Winkleigh Singers, and oh my word, what a choir. Thank you for your wonderful sound, being so welcoming, and to Roland Smith for inviting me. Going home with a happy heart.”
Alice Bingham, soprano, via Facebook, 8 January 2022
“Congratulations on a splendid Carol Service, last night, at Torrington. The choir sang beautifully and it was good to hear some infrequently sung arrangements, interspersed with the more traditional“
Member of congregation, 22 December 2020
“Your choir really do make a cracking sound and I so enjoyed listening as well as performing“
Donna-Marie Broomfield, soloist
“…thank you and the ladies and gentlemen of the choir for such a stunning performance“
PCC Secretary, All Hallows Church, Broadwoodkelly
“Thanks … for a wonderful evening“
Parkham Parochial Church Council
“In the three decades following its formation the Winkleigh Singers have become well-known throughout North Devon and beyond for high quality performances of classical pieces. The 30th anniversary celebration concert … was a memorable occasion, not only for the standard of their singing but also for the choice of the pieces they performed.“
“A truly memorable evening“
” …a delightful summer concert”
“The Winkleigh Singers, conducted by Roland Smith, created a
mood that was suitably serious, yet full of joy.“
“A superb concert!“
“…these amateur singers succeeded in getting over every nuance of the score
and in giving the work a showing of which any professional choir would be proud.”
“Bringing together the Winkleigh Singers and Devon Baroque was inspirational…
This fine choir can be seen to enjoy their music making and their rapport
with Devon Baroque was remarkable…“
North Devon Journal, various reviews
“…it was an exceptional pleasure to hear a complete Messiah given by a first rate professional orchestra, a fine team of young soloists and a gifted amateur chamber choir“
Seen and Heard International
“…the resultant performance was the best I’ve heard in my visiting years which number over 20“
“…a high standard of performance from both choir and soloists“
Jean Lethbridge, Making Music Visitor Report