The Rodbourne community has come together for a garden singalong to lift spirits during the coronavirus crisis.

People emerged from their homes for a rousing rendition of Monty Python’s ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’last weekend following a Facebook campaign.

Organiser Charlene Mills said: “We were thinking about how we could get people together.

“And we though 'why not just have people standing outside their doors?'. You can see friendly faces when you’re not just stuck inside.”

The Residents of Rodbourne Facebook group was the hub of the idea and sparked the song choice.

Charlene, who lives on Summers Street, added: “We first thought we’d just go outside and raise a glass, or a cup of tea, but then we started talking about a song.

“Someone put up a poll and that was how we picked the song of choice.

“A lady at the end of the road put her soundbar on and, as silly as it sounds, you got such a warm feeling.”

In such unprecedented times, Charlene believes doing something like this brings the community together and makes everyone happier.

The 31-year-old said: “How nice would it be is we did this on a regular basis? And if we got more people.

“In this day and age, not many people work together. There’s an old lady on my street who said the last time something like this happened was probably for Charles and Diana’s wedding (in 1981) when the whole street was closed.

“We need to have some kind of normality because life still goes on.”

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life – from the 1979 film Life of Brian – features lyrics Charlene says everybody in the country can relate to.

“At the minute, everything is a negative,” she told the Adver. “But no matter what, there is always a bright outcome.

“No matter what, there’s always a bright side to life.”

Karen Goldup also took part in the singalong.

She said: “Italy and Spain have it really bad but they’re making the most of it, singing from their balconies.

“People were out in their back gardens and some were out the front. If you’re out the front you can see everyone and it’s nice. If it could snowball and become something bigger it would be great.

“You don’t need to sing, you can just join in on the whistling if you want. And you’ll still be social distancing.

“Lots of people have to stay home and hearing people can just raise your spirits. Music can create good feelings.”

There are plans to do it again at 7pm tonight.