Like the proverbial cup, this delightful disc brimmeth over with good cheer. All of Wells Cathedral’s talented singers – boy choristers, girl choristers and vicars choral – are brought together in this worthy fund-raising disc, recorded in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice, based in Taunton. Assistant organist Jonathan Vaughan and Wells Cathedral School Chamber Orchestra offer sterling and sprightly instrumental support in a programme that consists entirely of music in major keys.

Matthew Owens’s refreshing approach to Sidney Carter’s hackneyed Lord of the Dance is nicely juxtaposed against the solidity of Beibl’s men-only Ave Maria, this latter featuring an excellent tenor solo from Iain MacLeod-Jones. Lindley’s setting of the same text makes for an interesting comparison. The trio of items by Rutter have more life in them than the pair by Goodall, whose Psalm 23 seems rather lacklustre, despite the use of piano and strings. Things improve when the choristers are allowed to sing out, for example in Stanford’s mighty B flat Te Deum and Jubilate, and the final chorus from Messiah. Both of the organ solos are played with great aplomb. Hollins’s cheekily endearing Edwardian A Song of Sunshine is caught perfectly, and Cocker’s Tuba Tune strides along with a fine swagger.

As a musical sequence, this rich and colourful programme works well and will undoubtedly provide support and succour to all those who hear it. Gary Coles’s engineering and production are up to their usual excellent standard, matched by the well-designed and generously filled booklet.