By Jennifer Grey
The Askrigg Ladies Who Sing will perform the opening concert of the annual flower festival on Friday at 7pm in St Matthew’s Church, Stalling Busk, with a selection of songs from their now extensive repertoire.
The group was formed by Diana Hartley seven years ago, when – with expectations of just a small gathering of interested people – around twenty turned up for the first session in the village hall. Since then they have gone from strength to strength, not as a formal choir but as people who simply enjoy singing and give public performances when asked.
They have been much in demand over the years for concerts and other engagements but, says Diana, there is no requirement to perform.
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“It is, after all, a singing for pleasure group and although most of the thirty or so ladies like to do ‘appearances’ there is no compulsion. We are a modest, loyal and cheerful group and we welcome newcomers. Interested ladies can just come along – there are no formal requirements.”
With invited soloists, their next engagement is at Low Row United Reformed Church for the harvest celebration on Saturday, October 7, and then at the Junction Chapel near Garsdale station on Saturday, December 2, for a candlelit carol service. And, says Diana, they are still open to more invitations.
See the ladies in rehearsal here. Askrigg ladies sing for the festival
