BUCKDEN Singers will commemorate of the centenary of the Great War at their summer concerts.

The singers – who appeared in ITV’s popular The Dales series - will devote the first part of their concerts to the men and women of all countries, faiths and cultures who have given their lives in the hope of a better world.

There will be a mixture of poetry and music, moving from the cheerful optimism and excitement at the start of the war, with extracts from O What a Lovely War, to the harsh reality of the trenches. The repertoire will include Pie Jesu, Nunc Dimittis and Song of Farewell.

The second part of the concerts is described as A Celebration of Life and features some of the old favourites, back by popular demand.

These include the Singers’ signature piece One Voice as well as Rhythm of Life, You Raise Me Up and one of the newer additions to their repertoire Bohemian Rhapsody.

Founded in 2007 when a group of a dozen friends formed a singing group, meeting in a villager’s sitting room, the choir has rapidly expanded to more than 35 members, from Buckden and surrounding villages.

It represents one fifth of the population of Buckden and members’ ages range from 17 to late 70s.

They will give two concerts - at St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Hubberholme, next Friday, July 11, and St Margaret Clitherow Church, Threshfield, on Saturday, July 12. Both start at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £7 for adults and £1 for children and are available from Megan Lightfoot on 01756 760399 or email tickets@buckden.org