Choir raises cash for city charity

A VOCAL group led by an Exeter councillor has performed a special concert in a historic setting to raise support for Citizens Advice Exeter, which is battling to stay open amid a deepening funding crisis.

- by LEWIS CLARKE

Tess and the d’Urbervilles, an Exeter-based a cappella ensemble led by Councillor Tess Read, brought music to the atmospheric surroundings of St Nicholas Priory earlier this month.

The private initiative was organised by Tess in support of Citizens Advice Exeter, one of the city’s oldest charities, which is now relying on community backing after losing almost all of its funding from Exeter City Council.

The concert comes as the charity struggles to cover its annual volunteer programme costs of £170,000, which it says provides a return of £600,000 in volunteer-delivered advice.