ONE of the UK’s oldest choirs has another award for its mantlepiece after a victory at the weekend.

Warrington Male Voice Choir, which can trace its formation back to 1898, competed in the North Wales Choral Festival which was held at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru which took place from Friday to Sunday.

Competing against four other choirs in the male voice category, the group performed three pieces, including one written by musical director Russell Paterson.

It was well received by the audience and three judges which led to Warrington receiving the glass trophy and cash prize.

Runner-up was The City of Chester Male Voice Choir.

Russell said: “I’m so proud of what the choir have achieved.

“Over the past 12 months they have put a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment into rehearsing the pieces, on top of working on our wider concert programme.

Warrington Guardian:

“And it’s brilliant when, competing against some excellent choirs, that effort is rewarded with a win.

“We also got an extra buzz as an English choir winning in Wales – the land of song.

“This was our first competition since we won in Torquay back in 2012 and, speaking to the chairman and secretary, we all agree we won’t be leaving it another seven years before competing in another competition.”

The choir’s winning day came to a fitting end when in the evening they opened the Festival Celebration Concert.

The choir are now planning to show off the trophy to their festive audiences, particularly at their annual Christmas Voices Christmas Brass concert.

This takes place on Saturday, December 21, at Parr Hall and features Warrington Male Voice Choir and special guests Leyland Band who will be performing singalong Christmas carols.

Warrington’s choir of 90 voices have performed at venues across Great Britain, Ireland, Europe and North America.

They also made headlines following the IRA bomb attacks in Bridge Street in 1993 as they became involved in promoting peace and an end to violence in Northern Ireland.

For tickets to Christmas Voices Christmas Brass visit parrhall.culturewarrington.org/whats-on/wmvc-christmas-voices-christmas-brass or call 442345