Internationally renowned choir the Catterick Garrison Military WAGS is calling on potential singers to come forward after a decline in members because of the pandemic.

The Choir was conceived back in early 2010, as a direct result of the conflict in Afghanistan. A large deployment of troops was due to leave the Garrison, at a time when injuries and loss of life was high. This led to two wives; Nicky Clarke and Caroline Jopp approaching Carol Gedye with the idea of starting up a choir. The aim was to give those left behind a focus, a support group to keep spirits high with fun and friendship, it did that and much more.

From the first rehearsal, in April 2010, the idea grew and the choir says it made the years significantly more bearable for hundreds of ladies who have passed through the doors, leading to more WAGS choirs throughout Britain and beyond.

Nicky had written to TV star Gareth Malone about setting up the choir in Catterick, at the time he was unable to help but in 2011, went on to set up two choirs in the TV series The Choir:Military Wives. The Catterick Garrison story became the inspiration for the block busting British film Military Wives, starring Kristin Scott Thomas.

Since those early days, the Military WAGS Choir achieved charitable status in its own right, today it is led by and relies on a small committee of volunteers supported by trustees and sponsors. Any donations help to continue running the support for women involved with the military in and around Catterick Garrison.

After the trauma of the pandemic they are hoping to build up numbers again. Member Pauline Kavanagh said: “It has been such a fantastic experience for me. The women in the choir are great, friendships are made and we are a support network for each other and especially for those who have no family nearby or whose husbands and partners are deployed.

“We are a charity and support other military charities when we sing at a concert and are currently supporting Veterans at Ease who help ex-military and serving military personnel and their families deal with post-traumatic stress.

“Unfortunately through covid and lockdown we lost members and because we weren’t meeting we couldn’t recruit.”

The choir meets at 5.30pm for a 6pm start every Thursday at the Garrison Church, St Martins and St Oswalds, in Church Road, Catterick Garrison. www.militarywagschoir.co.uk