“IT was the hairs standing up on the back of your neck job.’’

These were the words of Marsden Concert Brass principal cornet player Matt Roebuck after the first ever Big Sing was held in West Yorkshire.

Matt, of Marsden, added: “You only get that feeling when something has worked very well.’’

The event was staged in St George’s Square on Saturday lunchtime and drew a 200-strong crowd of singers and passers-by who could not help but join in.

Some sing in well-known organisations such as Huddersfield Choral Society, while others just wanted the chance to flex their voices as part of a large crowd.

Rehearsals were led by vocal trainer Sally Egan to get the crowd ready to sing three momentous pieces – On Ilkla Moor Baht ’At, Jerusalem and The Yorkshire Anthem, which had been specially written by the Bard Of Barnsley, poet Ian McMillan.

Sally told the crowd: “I always feel better when I’ve sung and I hope you all do too.’’

One of the choirs was Huddersfield Caribbean Community Choir and members Angie Smith, of Fartown; Daphne Letouche, of Dalton; Magdalene Alexis-Phillip, of Fartown; Letitia Duncan, of Crosland Moor and Gloria Nurse, of Mount, all thought it was a brilliant event.

Angie said: “It’s been a great community occasion and we could do with a lot more events like this in St George’s Square.’’

Another member, Marie Buckle, of Fartown, added: “It’s been absolutely fantastic. I’ve learned a lot from Sally – she has taught us the songs, pronunciation and how to breathe correctly while singing.

“She even got my six-year-old son Louis and six-year-old nephew Dekony Griffiths singing and, believe me, that’s no easy thing to do!’’

The youngest person in the crowd was five-month-old Daniel Watkins, of Lindley. He was born on Boxing Day.

Mum Gill Wood – who will marry fiance Noel Watkins next week – is a member of Huddersfield People’s Choir, which sings for fun every Wednesday evening from 7 to 9pm at St Thomas’ Church at Manchester Road, Longroyd Bridge.

“Daniel loved all the singing,’’ she said. “He wasn’t scared at all.’’

The Big Sing was organised by an organisation called Involve Yorkshire And Humber, which works with voluntary and community groups across the region. Saturday’s sing was set up as part of Adult Learners’ Week and sponsored by Yorkshire Building Society.

Organiser Amanda Vickers said: “It fits in with the week because singing is all about learning something new.

“This is the first Big Sing we have held in the region and we chose Huddersfield because of its musical heritage, but also because Kirklees Council has been brilliant about us having it here in St George’s Square.

“It’s is a great venue and we will do it here again.’’