STEETON singers took a break from rehearsals for their annual concert to mark their president’s 90th birthday.

Steeton Male Voice Choir members are busy practising at Steeton Methodist Church for their performance on Saturday, October 21 at King’s Hall in Ilkley.

But they still had time to celebrate the birthday of their president, long-time member Len Wilson.

Len was presented with a plaque to honour the occasion by choir chairman David Borley.

Choir publicity officer David Barraclough said Len joined the choir in 1970, meaning he had clocked up 47 years’ service and has served four of the five musical directors in the choir’s 109-year history.

David said: “In his time Len has been the General and Concert Secretary overseeing a memorable choir tour to Belgium and Germany where the choir sang at the Menin Gate.

“Len originally came from Barrow-in-Furness where he met and married Margaret over 60 years ago. Locally he held the post of headmaster at East Morton Primary School.

“Len’s organising skills are ever-present, being an active commitee member with responsibilities for the chorister training aid Personal Composer, and also organising presentations to local groups on the benefits of being a member of a choir.”

Len, a second tenor, will take to the stage with his choir colleagues for the annual concert at the King’s Hall in Ilkley on Saturday, October 21 at 7.30pm.

Mr Barraclough added: “This prestigious choir concert will be the inaugural concert for our new musical director Catherine Sweet.

“It promises to have something for everyone with a second half dedicated to songs from the shows, to which Catherine is no stranger, being a prominent local director in the world of musical theatre.

“The concert will also feature the Otley Brass Band who last appeared with us for a St George’s Day Concert at Bradford Cathedral in 2016.”

Email tickets@steetonmvc.co.uk or call Charles Sowden on 01943 817431 or 07704 123176 to book tickets for the concert.

Catherine Sweet began with Steeton Male Voice Choir in July this year, introducing the singers to many new songs as well as changing some of existing repertoire as, according to the choir’s website, “she drags us well and truly into the 21st century”.

Steeton Male Voice Choir will perform its Christmas concert at Holy Trinity Church in Skipton on December 9 at 7.30pm. The ticket price will include festive refreshments.

The choir will perform a concert in Silsden Methodist Church on April 21 next year, jointly with the Silsden-based Cobbydale Singers.