Pendle’s two male voice choirs are joining forces with three other North West choirs for a belated centenary celebration.

Colne Orpheus Glee Union, who are England’s longest established men’s choir, and Nelson Arion Male Voice Choir, both formed in the 1880s, are teaming up to mark a 100 year celebration of the National Association of Choirs.

Both choirs were founder members of the NAC in 1920 and have been invited to help celebrate the organisation’s centenary.

The two choirs hosted a concert with the second Rossendale Scout Band at Blackburn Cathedral last year, linked with the NAC’s centenary conference held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors. The money raised went to East Lancashire Hospice.

NAC officials were so pleased with the venue that they planned a return visit to the Cathedral for their own centenary concert, delayed by the Covid pandemic, on Saturday, November 19, at 7.15pm.

Peter Booth, chairman of Colne Orpheus, added: “We are proud to be a founder member of the National Association of Choirs, and we are honoured and delighted to be performing at the NAC's delayed centenary celebration.

“We’re pleased to be singing alongside our friends in Nelson Arion, as these two local choirs are the only original members of the NAC who are still performing. We’re looking forward to a wonderful evening of song."

The Pendle men will be joined by Greater Manchester Police Choir, Saddleworth Singers and the Windermere and Bowness Community Choir.

Each choir will sing their own items and join together for some massed songs.

Allan Walker, Arion secretary, said: “As one of the founding members of the National Association of Choirs, the Nelson Arion MVC are delighted to be taking part in the upcoming centenary concert.”

Tickets are £10.50, available from the Try Booking website, or at the door on the evening.