BASINGSTOKE Ladies’ Choir (BLC) will perform their annual concert on Saturday, October 24 at 7.30pm in United Reformed Church, London Street.

They will be joined by special guests the Bestwood Male Voice Choir. This choir was originally formed in 1952 in Nottingham mainly from miners in the nearby colliery along with local men.

Like BLC, Bestwood perform many concerts for charitable purposes as well as in music festivals and have many overseas links. Their patron is the 14th Duke of St Albans and the choir currently numbers around 70 men.

BLC are celebrating a successful year in which they have worked hard to support their local community and other charities. They made a donation of £625 to the Basingstoke stroke support group and, alongside Basingstoke Hospital Male Voice Choir and Hart Male Voice Choir, they raised £3,660 for the Nepal earthquake appeal at a special concert.

The audience at the annual concert will be able to hear some of the new pieces the choir has been working on.

Margaret Brackenborough, BLC’s music director, said: “This year we have started to put together a group of songs that come from cabaret or piano lounge venues.

“Typically these songs are soft and intimate in style which reflects the venues and also the era of 1930s to 1950s. Close microphone singing, often accompanied by a piano trio or piano alone, they tend to be wistful or seductive in nature.

“By this very nature they make ideal songs for a female choir as well as giving the opportunity for a cappella singing.”

BLC have been practising A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, Fly Me to the Moon and Misty.

Margaret added: “These songs have given us the opportunity to bring style and warmth to our singing, so I hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoy singing them.”

Tickets for the BLC annual concert can be obtained from Judy 01256 783000, Jan 01256 781035 or from Dawsons Music Shop, Festival Place.

BLC rehearsals take place on Mondays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Carnival Hall, Council Road. Membership is open to anyone aged 15 and over.

Find out more online at basingstokeladieschoir.co.uk.

BLC diary dates

Saturday, December 5: BLC will be part of a Christmas programme with the Basingstoke Festival of Choirs to be held in Porchester Square, Festival Place

Saturday, December 12: Mayor’s Carol Service at St Michael’s Church, again with the Basingstoke Festival of Choirs

Sunday, December 13: Christmas concert, Carnival Hall, 3pm

Saturday, December 19: performance in town centre Sainsbury’s store