'The trumpets shall sound', and they certainly did last night at a packed St Mary's Church for the joyful return of Wheatley Singers, who performed a wonderfully well-paced Messiah under the assured direction of Kate Billimore.

This was indeed a big return, featuring an orchestra of 15, a chorus of 41 singers and 4 splendid soloists who Kate deployed to provide us with a delicious winter feast.

Ian Barratt's superb bitter sweet tenor and Giles Dawson's disciplined furious rage of a bass created an excellent contrast with Shelley's Cox's thoughtful contralto and Angela Scott-Smith's soprano, who well met the challenge of following a triumphant 'Hallelujah' chorus with a fine 'I know my reedemer liveth'.

In both halves, the chorus sang well, with the sopranos on particularly top form. It was also good to see (and hear) an enthusiastic full line up of tenors and basses.

A mention must also be made to some fine playing in the orchestra. Bill Fox's bassoon and Kathy Gifford and Nick Care's trumpets stood out along with the reassuring continuo supplied by Roger Simmonds.

On a wintry night, this was a performance to warm the heart and send you home happily humming Handel's catchy little tunes.

Congratulations and thanks are due to all involved and now suitably fortified, we surely look forward to Ms Billimore's next musical adventure.