Wisbech's Singing Gardener has been entertaining vulnerable during pandemic lockdown in Virtual Village Hall

For Wisbech woman, Amanda Scott, the show must go on - pandemic or not.

Amanda, who is known as the Singing Gardener, combined her love of all things floral with music and set up her business three years ago regularly entertaining in care homes and day centres across the area, while also carrying out gardening for clients too.

But all that stopped when the coronavirus hit, however, undeterred Amanda, who has spent many hours working in Wisbech Castle gardens, in recent months, has been bringing her own brand of entertainment to hundreds via the Virtual Village Hall.

The Virtual Village Hall was set up by the Royal Voluntary Service as a means of plugging a gap caused by the coronavirus, which saw its various activities for vulnerable and elderly people largely stop.

Amanda, who's next performance is this afternoon (Friday), said: "I have a regular group of gardening customers and also care homes and day centres where I sing to entertain the residents, although I have also performed at WI meetings, garden centres and other venues and events, some of these, like singing with the Wisbech Lions at Christmas in Tesco were voluntary.

"As I didn't think gardening would be able to keep paying the bills through winter I thought of what else I could do that would help. I have always loved singing and belonged to the Wisbech Amateur Operatic Society for many years, performing in their shows. I had been an activity co-ordinator at a care home so knew what residents liked and what was currently on offer with the entertainers we had.

"As I have some regular homes that book me every month, I decided to try and sort out different themes so they would get a varied programme and not the same songs over again.

"One of the bookings I did around Remembrance Day last year was for the Royal Voluntary Service. I was asked to do a wartime theme for Remembrance. A few weeks into lockdown I was contacted by the lady who booked me asking if I would be willing and able to do something online for VE Day as they were in the early stages of planning a Virtual Village Hall.

"Since the VE Day booking, I have done one with all songs from different shows and I also did based on flowers and gardening. I also did a gardening slot where I showed people how to sow seeds and grow their own veg and flowers with whatever containers they had at home,and I also gave a quick tour of the gardens.

"Today's latest performance for the Virtual Village Hall is at 3pm and will be a Summertime Special, with lots of favourites like 'Under the board walk' and "I do like to be beside the seaside'. "

To watch the events in the Virtual Village Hall, either join it's Facebook page, where you will be able to see all the events that have been going on since lockdown.

Alternatively, you can watch live events on the website, www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/our-services/virtual-village-hall/noticeboard , or watch the Youtube channel, Virtual Village Hall by the Royal Voluntary Service.