A LOTHERSDALE teenager had a poignant surprise as she sang alongside Steeton Male Voice Choir in Skipton.

Sally Clement performed the choir at Christ Church in memory of her late grandfather Bernard who served in the choir’s top tenor section.

During the concert choir president Leonard Wilson presented Sally with a framed photograph of the choir with Bernard in their ranks.

Choir spokesman Eric Parker said the evening was a great success, with Sally singing six solo items including The Lord Bless You and Keep You, Whistle Daughter, Whistle and Poor

Wandering One

Eric said: “Sally was accompanied on the piano with her grandmother Angela Clement. The last choir songs Ilkla Moor Baht’At and Highland Cathedral brought the grand finale to a great crescendo ending.”

Martin Winterton, who was in the audience, said the choir showed the “increasingly versatile range” of its repertoire since musical director Catherine Sweet joined less than two years ago.

He said: “The rousing and popular Impossible Dream from Man of La Mancha was followed by the gentle Fields of Gold, which had the audience possibly remembering their own youth.

“David Barraclough from the bass section performed the beautiful song Cavatina.

“Sally Clement’s performance was amazing and drew huge applause from the audience.”

Martin added: “The evening displayed the hidden talents of choir members. The people of Skipton and Craven are lucky to have a choir with such a national and international reputation.”

The choir has more than 60 members but would welcome more: drop into rehearsals on Mondays at 7.30pm in Steeton Methodist Chapel.