Choir raises roof in celebration

More than 600 people attended a concert to celebrate a Black Country choir's centenary year.

Cradley Heath Male Voice Choir performed at Brierley Hill Civic Hall on Saturday night.

It was supported by Warley Male Choir, singer Julie Knight and jazz group The Crown Phoenix Big Band.

More than £3,000 was raised from the concert, which will go to the Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge.

Publicity officer Terry Lawrence, who has been associated with the group for the past eight years, said: "It's always a tremendous honour to perform here in the Black Country.

"We are a Black Country choir and we are proud of our identity.

"To reach 100 years is a fantastic achievement."

Cradley Heath Male Voice Choir was first formed on February 12, 1912, after a meeting inviting any men interested in taking part in a musical society. Its first public performance as the Cradley Heath, Old Hill and District Male Voice Choir took place at the Whitley Memorial School that year.

It continued performing and staging charity concerts until the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 when all competition was suspended. The choir returned at the end of the war and in 1919 took first prize in its first post-conflict competition, in Halesowen. Rehearsals now take place on Mondays from 7.30pm at the Methodist Church in Quarry Road, Dudley Wood.