RYEDALE’S only all-female choir is celebrating its fifth anniversary as members gear up for a packed Christmas schedule.

The Harmonia Choir, set up in 2008 by singing teacher Alison Davis, to create a female equivalent of the Malton District Male Voice Choir, has since seen its numbers and bookings go from strength to strength.

Alison said: “There wasn’t anything like it so I decided to do it. I am surprised by how it has grown but in a sense I am not because I think singing is very much something that a lot of people always think that they would like to try. We have gradually got more and more members and it’s a lovely atmosphere where we have fun and a lot of friendships have been made. The choir provides a real focus for many of the women.”

The choir meets every Thursday evening for an hour-and a-half at the Saville Street Methodist Church, Malton.

Alison said: “It is really fun but I do make them work quite hard and do three to four songs a night. Especially with Christmas, because we had to start rehearsing it all back in September because everyone has to learn all of the words and all of the parts.”

For more information phone 01944 758028.