THE Langcliffe Singers will visit Gisburn Church for their next concert, which takes place on Saturday.

The concert celebrates the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and will feature music by composers with links to the area, including Francis Duckworth, who composed the famous hymn tune Rimington, and who is buried in Gisburn churchyard.

The concert is the brainchild of Langcliffe Singers member Mike Clarke, president of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Society, who recently had a canal lock named after him.

Mike found that when the canal first opened, music was part of the celebrations, so it seemed a good idea to use music from along the canal’s route to celebrate its 200th anniversary.

The main feature of the programme will be Christopher H H Booth’s Mass in G, which has not been performed for around 100 years.

Born in Accrington in 1865, Booth was a well-regarded organist and conductor in the Accrington area, before he emigrated to America where he became well-known in musical circles.

Accomplished in many types of music from opera to jazz, he was the accompanist for the Metropolitan Opera and the first person to be recorded playing ragtime.

Mike discovered the music for the Mass 25 years ago when he worked at Accrington Library, and he always hoped that one day he would see it performed.

The choir is delighted to fulfil his wish and to have the opportunity to revive this lively and impressive work.

Langcliffe Singers would love to make it an even more special occasion by welcoming as VIP guests any descendants of, or anyone who has any connection with, Christopher H H Booth.

If you are in any way connected to C H H Booth, or you know someone who is, contact Mike at mike.clark@zen.co.uk or the Langcliffe Singers website at langcliffesingers.org.uk

The programme will also include pieces by Frederick Delius, who was born in Bradford, and Max Bruch, who spent three seasons as conductor of the Liverpool Philharmonic Society.

The concert will begin at 7.30pm and will also include readings about work on the canal. Tickets cost £10 and are available from Cave and Crag, Skipton Camera Centre, Bentham Post Office or on the door.