The Springfield Singers, the acclaimed ladies’ choir based in Lydney, will be celebrating their 34th anniversary on Saturday with a performance at St Mary’s Church.

The choir have travelled widely over the last three decades, giving numerous concerts for charity and have achieved success at prestigious competition venues in cities such as Bath, Bristol, Cheltenham and Herefordshire, in one year winning no fewer than five first prizes.

Audience members will be able to enjoy a mixed repertoire of music this Saturday, including several songs from ‘The Greatest Showman’ as well as songs from Irving Berlin, John Denver and Carly Simon.

Judith James, who has been singing with the Springfield Singers for three years, says the performance on Saturday promises to be a fantastic evening for the members of the award-winning vocal group.

She said: “Our annual concert is a real highlight in our performing calendar. On Saturday we’ll be celebrating our 34th anniversary and we’ll be joined by the Forest Flute Choir who are singing with us for the very first time. The most unusual thing about Saturday is our conductor – Sarah Waycott – plays the flute and is going to be playing with the flute choir on a couple of pieces.

“We’ll be singing a huge mix of our favourite songs. There will be songs from 'The Greatest Showman' and various other films such as 'Skyfall'. Rehearsals have gone very well indeed. It’s always a bit different when there’s people watching but most of us have sung in front of big crowds before.

“We do have a couple of new members that recently joined us so Saturday will be their first experience of singing in public. Being part of such a friendly group is a wonderful feeling, we all help and support each other.”

Judith has been a member of the Springfield Singers since moving to Lydney three years ago from the North-East where she sang with the Middlesbrough Operatic Society. She was welcomed to the Springfield Singers with open arms, and it’s that friendliness which she says makes the choir a great place to sing.

She added: “We’re a choir that likes to have fun, performing alongside your friends is the best feeling. As well as our regular performances in the Forest of Dean we also sing at weddings and old people’s homes. Seeing the appreciation on people’s faces is what makes all the practice sessions worthwhile, it’s a great feeling.

“Singing is what brings us together but there are so many friendships that have been made as well. Anyone looking to join us will be made most welcome, we’re always keen to speak to people, no matter if they’re an experienced singer or a complete beginner.”