Composer Paul Mealor song highlight for Flint Ladies Choir

Tickets are selling fast for the Flint Ladies Choir's birthday event, to be staged at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Flint on Saturday.

The anniversary performance features a wide ranging programme, with a highlight being the acclaimed This Song of Mine by world renowned St Asaph-born composer Paul Mealor.

Flint Ladies Choir.

Choir chairperson Keeley Bird said: "We plan four concerts through the year but this one, for our 10th anniversary, is really special.

"It is an opportunity for us to show just how far we've come in 10 years.

"We're delighted that we're also going to be joined by talented soprano Rhian Carys-Jones as our guest soloist for the evening."

Flint Ladies Choir.

Over the past decade the now 40-strong choir has become an important social hub for its members as well as an opportunity to make good music together.

One of the choir's founder members Bronwen Boyel said: "The Flint Ladies Choir has got me through some very difficult times and it means a lot to me. It has enabled me to meet complete strangers who have now become true and loyal friends."

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Another member, Wendy Shipton endorsed her sentiments. She said: "I joined because after the children went to uni it was my time for me to get out and have hobbies for myself. I joined 10 years ago and very rarely miss a practice.

"Singing helps with depression and I always go home uplifted after a practice. I've made lots of friends and we laugh and support each other. It's given me a new lease of life."

Keeley added: "We work hard, but there is lots of laughter too. We sing a wide ranging repertoire, including songs from musicals, sacred music and more modern pieces."

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Saturday night's anniversary concert will be the first time Flint Ladies have performed the popular work This Song of Mine, which made headlines when Paul Mealor composed it for an appearance by the Military Wives Choir at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Keeley said it is an emotional piece which they can't wait to perform.

Paul achieved global fame when his motet, Ubi Caritas was premiered at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton - now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - at Westminster Abbey.

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Keeley said the performance would be even more special as Paul is now a patron of Flint Ladies Choir: "It will be an honour for us to sing this beautiful piece which he created."

Today the choir has 40 active members, including several who have been there since the very beginning.

Flint Ladies Choir.

Among the more recent recruits is choir treasurer, Julia Edwards, who joined four years ago when she moved back to Wales.

She said it was a wonderful way to meet new people and she was made to feel very welcome. She has made some very special friends.

Keeley said: "Our members range in age from our 30s to our 80s but all get along really well. We meet in the hall of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Flint, on a Thursday evening, from 7pm-9pm. We are always keen to welcome newcomers.

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"We work hard but have an amazing musical team with Eleanor Diake as our musical director and Stephen Smith accompanying us on piano."

Tickets for Saturday's anniversary concert are £8 available at Altered Images and Candid Cards in Flint, or bought online at jumbleebee.co.uk/10thanniversayconcert.

Alternatively tickets can be purchased on the door on the night at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 17 Coleshill Street, Flint. The performance starts at 7.30pm.