FEMALE SINGERS from across South Gloucestershire and Bristol came together last Thursday in Winterbourne to celebrate 40 years of ladies’ barbershop singing in the UK.

Around 100 singers from three choruses, Avon Harmony, Bristol Fashion and Fascinating Rhythm, performed at the event held at the Greenfield Centre while receiving the “Beacon of Harmony” scroll from Welsh singers Cardiff Style.

Old and new friends mingled over supper, singing together and for each other, led by their musical directors Alex de Bruin, Craig Kehoe and Jo Dean.

The scroll, a symbol of the harmony that their music emulates, has been signed by all the groups that have received it has travelled around the country, from chorus to chorus before it ends up in Harrogate later this year for the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) convention competition.

The clubs will be handing over the scroll to neighbouring group Cleve Harmony on Wednesday as it continues its national journey.

Kate Tivney chairman of Bristol Fashion said: “It was a great privilege and pleasure to receive the beacon scroll from Cardiff Style, on behalf of local choruses and we look forward to passing it on to Cleeve Harmony”.

Terri Kinnison chairman of Fascinating Rhythm, who hosted the night at their regular rehearsal venue, added: “We were so glad to be able to host this wonderful celebration of women’s harmony singing and to meet the founders of barbershop and acapella singing in this area. There was an awesome sound tonight.”

Jackie Boffin, chairman of Avon Harmony drew the evening to a close, by expressing her pleasure at seeing and hearing so many chorus members enjoying food and music together in this special year of ladies barbershop and said she hoped that it could become a regular event.

For more information on LABBS and the national network of ladies’ choruses visit http://www.labbs.org.uk/