A group of people who met in a local pub released a new Christmas song – for the 10th year running

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

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

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

Dave Griffiths and Lester Barnes, who front the project, say it has only grown in size since the start – 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 since we moved to the village over 20 years ago.

“It’s a really special place because it’s all local. It is the real center of the community.

“And almost everyone featured in these Christmas carols over the years is someone we’ve met in the pub.”

Dave, who works as a software engineer but has been a musician all his life, and Lester, a professional songwriter, decided 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 over it – some of whom couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.

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

“These songs are absolutely destined to fail the charts, but it’s a great laugh. And it’s so popular with the local community that we just get on with it.”

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

He said: “It is an absolute economic disaster. Because we have to spend our money hiring studios.

“We are out of pocket. But it’s just for fun.”

On this year’s Christmas Carol, Dave is playing mandolin, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano and violin.

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

There are around 60 people singing the tunes – and the musical arrangements also feature a Royal College of Music professor of flute and a percussionist from the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Dave and Lester will begin the writing process of their next single in June – with recordings usually taking place during the autumn months.

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

“A girl sang her first song when she was only six years old. Now, she is back to singing again at the age of 15.

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

“People want to join, but they tell me ‘I can’t sing.’ I say, ‘Let that not be a hindrance.’

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

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