20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Famous Glasgow musicians give young choir a boost with special song
Ken McCluskey and Douglas MacIntyre of The Bluebells helped Down's Syndrome Scotland's Choir 21 write and perform a song especially for the occasion.
And Altered Images singer and actor Clare Grogan also joined in, delighting choir members and onlookers alike.
On her Instagram page, the star said she was excited to be singing alongside the choir and added: "Their garden is sublime."
Choir 21 (Image: Ginger Horticulture)
The choir was at the prestigious event to unveil their charity show garden, the Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden, sponsored by Project Giving Back. The garden will be at the flower show until Saturday, May 24, when it will relocate to its permanent home at Watch Us Grow in Palacerigg Country Park in Cumbernauld.
The talented singers performed three songs, including their debut performance of Our Chelsea Anthem, written in collaboration with The Bluebells and accompanied by Makaton sign language.
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Down's Syndrome Scotland chief executive Eddie McConnell said: 'It's wonderful to see our charity choir here in the heart of Chelsea to perform at the world's most prestigious flower show.
'Many of our members haven't travelled to London before, and although excited and nervous at the invitation to officially open our garden at RHS Chelsea, they have excelled and made their community proud as they fly the flag for inclusion, opportunity and challenging stigma.'
Katy Lironi, Choir 21's songwriter and choir lead, said: 'I am so proud of the choir performing today in front of so many press and RHS guests to officially unveil our charity show garden.
'Our Chelsea Anthem is a song written by members of our choir with input from our wider charity members.
'We're also grateful for the help provided by The Bluebells, who brought our lyrics to life.'
The Bluebells (Image: Newsquest)
Choir 21 also sang Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden, its 'very own take on the folk song English Country Garden', adds Katy.
'Lyrics were supplied by Choir 21 members and the wider Down's Syndrome Scotland community, describing many features of the garden,' she explains.
'And of course - we couldn't come to Chelsea with The Bluebells without singing their 1993 number one hit, Young at Heart.'
(Image: Ginger Horticulture)
The Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden is an immersive, semi-wooded space celebrating and reflecting the unique qualities that people with Down's syndrome bring to society.
Visitors enter on a meandering path that leads them through two distinct planting areas that convey calmness and playfulness, while a pool symbolises the daily challenges faced by people with Down's syndrome who - despite huge progress in recent years - still experience stigma, often resulting in reduced opportunities and life expectancy.
A submerged bridge within the water pool allows what looks like barrier to be overcome and visitors arrive at a welcoming garden building designed to 'feel like a warm and comforting hug', say designers Nick Burton and Duncan Hall of Burton Hall Garden Design, who were inspired by Duncan's eight-year-old nephew Liam.
Liam, who has Down's syndrome, was invited to the unveiling along with his brother Oscar, 10, and his parents Laura Romay Castiñeira and Davie Hall.
