Deerbolt Ladies Choir on song for summer show

A LONG established group of singers is gearing up for its annual midsummer concert. The Deerbolt Ladies Choir was formed four decades ago and is still going strong.
The 25 or so members will perform at Barnard Castle Methodist Church on Sunday, June 18.
The midsummer concert is one of two the choir performs each year – the other being a winter performance in December.
The choir’s Gill Gibson said the group had its roots in the young offenders' institution in Startforth.
“It started off as a group with men and women who all worked at the prison,” she said.
“The men broke away and formed a male voice choir and we have just continued.”
For 25 years, the group was led by Margaret Forrest and when she stood down about 18 months ago, John Lowles stepped up in as musical director.
“John stepped into the breach to keep us going,” said Mrs Gibson.
The forthcoming concert will feature a range of music, from Lullaby of Broadway and Smoke Gets in Your Eyes to Paul Simon's Bridge Over Troubled Water and Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.
“John has certainly brought us up to date,” added Mrs Gibson.
The concert starts at 7pm and admission is £5.
Mrs Gibson said it was an enjoyable group to be part of.
“The fact is a lot of us have known each other for many years – and we all enjoy singing.”
New singers are always welcome along to rehearsals, which take place on a Tuesday evening at 7pm at the Methodist church.