SINGERS in Tyndale Choral Society are celebrating 50 years of hitting the high notes. The 80 strong choir that sings around Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge has been going since 1960 after a professional singer from North Nibley, Mollie Neale, decided to start a choir that could tackle ambitious pieces of choral music. Today the choir is not only still going strong but has been pioneering in encouraging more people to try choral singing with their Absolute Beginners Courses (ABC) that attract new members and teach them the basics.

In November the choir will sing the technically difficult Handel’s Messiah, the work first performed by Mrs Neale’s choir in 1959, just before she named the group Tyndale – after the monument in North Nibley.

Estelle James, who has sung in every Tyndale performance since it begun, said: “For many of us this was the beginning of a completely new way of life which we’ve never forgotten and, indeed, which we’re still enjoying.” Since then many novice singers have joined the choir and have found their voice and much more besides as a member of the Tyndale Choral Society.

Julia O’Connor Beach, a member for seven years, said: “I am extremely grateful to Tyndale – without them I wouldn’t be singing at all. We like to think that the choir has the same ethos as when Mollie started it. It was always intended as a community choir and it still is that. It is a vehicle for community cohesion.”

Lisa Kicinski, one of the newest members of the choir who joined the last ABC course having wanted to sing in a choir for many years, said it had been a confidence boosting experience. “I just absolutely love it. I never had the confidence to sing before, but with the encouragement of the members I have found my way. Singing is good for the soul and well-being, I find it really de-stresses you after a long day.” Lisa, a former primary school teacher, added: “It is nice to be part of a society that has a tradition and has roots to it.&rdquo

Members enjoyed a celebratory meal to mark the anniversary last Sunday after performing their summer concert on Saturday in St Mary’s Church, Wotton.