A COMMUNITY choir can be a lifeline for military wives desperate to meet people when they are posted to a new area.

But Bicester's choir could have to call after it a day after its musical director stepped down and numbers dropped.

Without a director and accompanist rehearsals have been difficult for the wives and some have hung up their song sheets.

Chairman Karen Rea said: "The choir is a great support network for ladies and it helps local charities through performing and events.

"It would be a shame to call it a day if a new musical director cannot be found.

"It is very difficult to increase numbers without them – a lot of people have left because the choir's future is uncertain."

Bicester Military Wives Choir was set up by army wife Mrs Rea just over a year ago, after moving to Ambrosden with her husband and four children.

Mrs Rea, who was a member of choirs in Shrivenham and North London, said: "I knew there were a lot of ex-military personnel living in the area.

"I hoped that a choir could bring them and serving member families together to support each other.

"When I first got to Bicester I really missed being a member – the ladies at North London had been such a big part of my life for the two years I was there."

Over Christmas the choir boasted a team of 25, after starting with just six people, and performed at several events including the Bicester Singing Festival and Christmas concerts.

But earlier this month the musical director left suddenly and since then rehearsals can only be held with backing tracks or by travelling to the Brize Norton military wives' choir.

The group is now urging people to join up. It has a calendar of events booked up to April 2017.

Mrs Rea added: "We have an informal get together each week and try to stick to core military wives songs like Wherever You Are, Stronger Together and Tipperary.

"It is just a bit of light-hearted fun. We don't want it to be too serious.

"I think a lot of people in Bicester are ex-military. We would welcome people of all ages."

The group hopes to recruit a mixture of ex-military personnel in Bicester and current military wives from the town's three communities – Bicester Garrison, St David’s Barracks and St George’s Barracks.

The group meets at St Mary’s Church, Church Walk, Ambrosden, near Bicester, every Monday from 7.30pm. People can drop in or email bicester@militarywiveschoirs.org