The South Oxhey Community Choir celebrates as the first show airs (From Watford Observer)

The South Oxhey Community Choir celebrates as the first show airs

3:32pm Wednesday 2nd September 2009 in

More stories about: The Centre, South Oxhey

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A COMMUNITY gathered together last night to watch themselves on TV as the third series of BBC Two’s The Choir shone a spotlight on the people of South Oxhey. The programme featured gospel singer Dee facing her first solo, Pam the vicar trying to unite the town, Matt the boxer who wasn’t sure how it would all turn out and Fred the widower, who was hoping just to make new friends.

At 9pm last evening, various choir members headed to the pub or grouped around the telly to see the show.

Among them was lifelong South Oxhey resident Lorraine Orsmond (42) and her 19-year-old daughter Ashleigh who chose to view the episode at The One Bell in Watford.

Lorraine said: “They put int on the big screen for us and it was brilliant, everyone stopped what they were doing and really enjoyed the programme. Lots of people recognised faces from the choir - everyone really enjoyed it. I’m really pleased with how it all turned out, but I was shocked the first time I saw me and my daughter, which was just before the programme started. When it first popped up, me and her screamed a bit.

It’s been a 100 per cent boost to the community and has brought loads of people together

Lorraine Orsmond

“Then, I was in the bit in the Dick Whittington pub when they were looking for people to join and me and my daughter were doing karaoke and cheering everyone else on. I’m so excited I can’t wait for next Tuesday.

“It’s been a 100 per cent boost to the community and has brought loads of people together. I’ve made lots of new friends and we’re quite a close group now, like an extended family.

Maggie Forman, just turned 36 last Saturday, watched The Choir at home before meeting up with friends.

“I had a double celebration at the weekend as it was my birthday but also I was so excited that Tuesday was coming up.”

When we talk, Maggie is just doing the weekly shop. “I’m stuck in Tesco but nothing’s going to bring me down now. I watched the programme at home with my family and then popped out to catch up with other choir members at the The One Bell.

Maggie spotted herself on screen six or seven times and she was featured in a preview clip for part two, which airs next Tuesday.

“People down the pub didn’t recognise me though because back then I was blonde and highlighted and now my hair’s dark brown with pink fringe; I’ve gone incognito.”

Maggie said she was particularly pleased the show was a good representation of South Oxhey.

“I thought it was a really good show. I’m not sure what I was expecting as documentaries are all very different but it was put together well. I think people got hyped up by the fact that the area might not be shown in a good light, but when I saw the programme it wasn’t like that at all. It was weird looking at yourself, but there’s this amazing feeling thinking you’re part of something like that.“

Father of two Russ Clancy spoke to me before the show aired and like Lorraine he sought out the company of others down the pub.

He said: “I went down to the Dick Whittington, there were 15 to 20 or so of us that went. It was quite surreal to say the least seeing people and places you recognised on screen. At the end there was a round of applause and having a few drinks and a chat about it made for a good atmosphere.

“I think the show portrayed the area in a good light. My kids liked it, especially when they saw themselves on screen, they were shouting ‘I’m on telly, I’m on telly’, which is something to tell their friends about when they go back to school.”