Disused cooling tower used to record charity songs

A former cooling tower at the UK's last coal-fired power station has been used by a choir to record a charity single.

One of the towers at Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire was used by the Institute Collective choir as they recorded two songs, which were released on Tuesday.

The choir was given special permission by energy company Uniper to perform in the cooling tower, allowing them to create a "unique sound that echoes throughout the compositions".

Proceeds from the songs will raise money for the Loughborough children's charity, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.

Award-nominated composer Hughie Gavin and award-winning composer Vince Pope were inspired to start the project after seeing Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station's closure in the news, and each created a composition as a tribute to the structures.

The power station was switched off on 30 September 2024 after generating electricity since 1968.

Gavin, the director of the Institute Collective choir, said: "To record inside a cooling tower and use the remarkable acoustics to provide a lasting reminder of the enormous contribution the cooling towers at Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station made to life in and around the local area was an honour.

"That the money raised will go to Rainbows Hospice is a perfect tribute."

Rosie Robinson, musical therapist at Rainbows Hospice, said she planned to use the songs in her work.

"They are both powerful and hauntingly beautiful, and will be used to help create a relaxing and ethereal music experience over which the babies, children and young people can add their own sounds either using instruments or their own voices," she said.

"They have been added to my playlist, so I can have them for sessions both here in the hospice, but also as part of our outreach programme delivering music therapy across the East Midlands."

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