THE Ladybridge Singers have been hitting the high notes for 40 years — and have no intention of stopping now.

First founded in front of a piano in a small bungalow after members answered a small, typed advert in a residents’ newsletter, the group quickly built up a good reputation and were soon putting on concerts across the borough and beyond.

One of the two remaining founding members, David Walker, has spoken of how proud he is that the group is still going strong.

He also says he hopes that vocal harmony groups like Only Men Allowed, who won the BBC TV show Last Choir Standing presented by Myleene Klass, will encourage more choral groups like them to form.

Grandfather-of-six David Walker, aged 75, said: “We celebrated our 40th anniversary, which is pretty amazing when you think about it.

“At our first meeting there were about a dozen of us all cramped into the lounge of a small bungalow.

“Little did I know that so many years later we would still be going strong. It’s incredible to be a part of something so special.”

The choir first metafter a little advert was put in the residents’ newsletter in Ladybridge.

Mr Walker said: “It all started with an article in our residents’ newsletter by William and Nan Hartley asking for people to come and join a new choir.

“I went along to the first meeting in the living room at number 2, Engol Drive, and we all gathered together around a piano and handed out a few sheets of music and just sang.

“It was a Friday night first but we all decided that Monday night would be the best night to meet to practise, and the Ladybridge Singers was born.

“We never thought then that it would go on as long as it has. It was purely exploratory and we slowly grew and developed a repertoire and moved to a bigger house. We’re now at St Helen’s Road Methodist Church.

“It started out as friends that lived in Ladybridge, although later on we cast the net wider. The only founding members that are left are me and Josie Sheringham, sadly.”

After lots of rehearsal time, the choir started putting on concerts around Ladybridge.

Mr Walker said: “Most of us could write music and had sung in choirs previously. We have got a mixture of abilities.

“One member of the choir is a publicity officer who deals with our reservations and we would put on concerts wherever there was a request for one.

“Now, we rehearse at the church, which is better as it has a stage, and it only costs £35 to rent out. That is covered by our annual subscription fee.

“We then get the money back by putting on our concerts. We don’t make money though, the money we charge just covers our overheads really.

“We have 36 rehearsal nights a year and it costs £40. I bet you won’t find any other activity to do for just over £1 a time.”

Mr Walker says he thinks it is a shame that more people do not get involved in choral singing any more, but hopes that vocal harmony groups like Only Men Allowed will help make it “cool” again.

He added: “I have always loved singing. I discovered choral singing in the fourth year of secondary school, but choral was on the school syllabus unlike now. I would get involved with the annual concert.

“Back then lads did get involved with singing and performing, but nowadays it’s not seen as ‘cool’ is it?

“But there are some vocal harmony groups out there so hopefully they will encourage people to form more groups like it.”

Now the group, which consists of 39 members as well as musical director Dr Robert Aston, perform up to 15 concerts a season.

The group sing a variety of songs such as hymns, soundtracks from musicals, and classics.

Mr Walker said: “I love singing and I love music. I don’t have a solo voice but I love singing choral. I love all kinds of music such as pop and classical.

“We all still get the same bug for performing as we did – but thankfully less of the nerves. The musical director Robert Aston is fantastic.

“It has been sad to see faces come and go over the years but it is lovely when new people join us.

“We mainly perform at churches and fund raising events but we’re aiming to do a bigger concert next season at the end of October.”

For more information about the Ladybridge Singers and their upcoming events, visit ladybridgesingers.org.uk, or contact publicity officer and secretary Peter Boothman on peterboothman@ntlworld.com.