Community Choir on Peabody Estate Continues to Grow

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Set up as part of the centenary celebrations on Fulham Palace Road

Peabody Community Choir in rehearsal. Picture: H&F Council

November 2, 2026

Residents are being invited to join a growing community choir that is bringing together people of all ages and musical abilities through a shared love of singing.

The free Peabody Community Choir was launched earlier this year as part of the centenary celebrations for the Peabody Estate on Fulham Palace Road. What began as a project to bring residents together for a special anniversary performance has quickly evolved into a regular cross-generational choir.

"Nothing brings people together like music does," said choir founder Meerav Shah, who established the group with the aim of creating a welcoming space for anyone interested in singing, regardless of experience.

"The aim was to bring people from across the Peabody Estate, neighbouring estates and beyond to perform at our centenary party, but also to sow the seeds for a cross-generational community choir for years to come," she said. "We want anyone to be able to access the choir at any level of singing ability."

The choir already boasts members ranging from 12-year-olds to singers in their 70s. In August, the group performed to around 120 guests at the Peabody Estate's 100th anniversary celebration in the estate's central sunken garden.

Their performance highlighted the area’s rich musical heritage, referencing everything from The Beatles' famous appearances at the Hammersmith Apollo in the 1960s to Tears For Fears' live album recording at the venue and the borough's connection to singer Lily Allen.

For Meerav, who is chair of the Peabody Estate Tenants and Residents Association and a keen violinist, the choir is about far more than music.

"People can often be nervous to come through the door at first, but the biggest thing we're trying to inspire is getting people involved in creating a community," she said. "We want to tackle that issue of loneliness, getting people to know their neighbours."

The initiative received a £2,000 Peabody grant to help get the project off the ground and has since attracted singers from across the borough.

Among them is former nurse Shirley Cupit, 72, who has lived on the nearby Queen Caroline Estate for almost three decades.

"It's the first time I've been involved in cross-estate activity, and we also have other people coming from outside both our estates," she said. "It's a warm and welcoming atmosphere and very informal.

"I've grown to really value singing with other people. There's something really amazing about making sound together. It does something incredibly healing and rather wonderful."

The choir is supported by local artistic director Sam Loveless, whose community participation work has earned recognition through a nomination for the 2026 Ivors Composer Awards.

For Shirley, the experience of singing together has become an important part of her weekly routine.

"There are moments where I hear the sound we're all making together and it's just wonderful," she said. "Whatever else I'm going through and the challenges I've faced in a day, when I go and sing with these other people, I always find it's one of the most mindful things I do.

"I really enjoy both parts of it – being with people and someone helping me to make the best music I can. I hear myself singing in a way I didn't know I could sing. There are moments when I can't believe it's me."

The choir meets most Wednesday evenings at Hammersmith Community Hall, Fulham Palace Road, W6 9QT. Upcoming rehearsals take place from 6.45pm to 8.15pm on 4, 11 and 25 November.

Participation is free and new members are welcome, whether they are complete beginners or experienced singers.

Anyone interested in joining can contact Meerav Shah at tape.eventsandhall@gmail.com or simply attend a rehearsal to find out more.

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