Group of people who met at local pub release new Christmas song — for 10th year in a row

A group of people who met at their local pub have released a Christmas single – for the tenth year in the row.

The Belldrinkers, who met at The Five Bells in Chelsfield, Greater London, have been creating an annual festive tune together since 2015.

Dozens of pubgoers, even those who “can’t carry a tune in a bucket”, sing over a backing track – which has been created by various local musicians.

Dave Griffiths and Lester Barnes, who head up the project, say it has only grown in size since it began – with at least 60 people collaborating on their latest single, ‘Another Song, Another Christmas’.

Dave, 60, said: “My wife and I have been going to The Five Bells ever since we moved into the village over 20 years ago.

“It’s a really special place because it’s all locals. It’s the real hub of the community.

“And nearly everyone featured on these Christmas songs over the years is someone we’ve met at the pub.”

Dave, who works as a software engineer but has been a musician all his life, and Lester, a professional composer, decided back in 2015 to work together to create a Christmas song.

Dave said: “We just thought we’d give it a go. We got a load of local people to sing on it – some of whom couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.

“And then we both invited some of our professional musician mates to come and play on it.

“These songs are absolutely destined for chart failure but it’s such a laugh. And it’s so popular with the local community that we just keep going with it.”

Dave reckons he and Lester have made at most $4 each over the years.

He said: “It’s an absolute economical disaster. Because we have to spend our money hiring studios.

“We’re so out of pocket. But it’s just for the fun of it.”

In this year’s Christmas song, Dave is playing the mandolin, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, and violin.

Meanwhile, Lester has created all the orchestral arrangements – and played the piano, saxophone, and clarinet.

There are around 60 people singing on the tune – and in the musical arrangements, a Royal College of Music flute professor and a London Philharmonic Orchestra percussionist are also featured.

Dave and Lester will start the process of writing their next single in June – with recordings typically done over the autumn months.

Dave said: “There are some people who have been on every single song. They’re part of the furniture.

“One girl sang on the first song when she was just six years old. Now, she’s returned to sing again at 15.

“It’s a lovely atmosphere when we get everyone together.

“People want to join but they say to me, ‘I can’t sing’. I say, ‘Let that be no barrier.’

“It’s good quality nonsense. That’s what I say.”

‘Another Song, Another Christmas’ by The Belldrinkers is available now on YouTube and Spotify.