SINGERS from five local male voice choirs will fill the Town Hall with music this spring and it’s all to help a local children’s charity.

When John Topham, who sings with Gledholt Male Voice Choir and is also a member of Colne Valley Lions, came up with the idea of a concert to help raise money for the West Yorkshire Forget-Me-Not Trust he turned to friends within the world of male voice singing and the Lions to help.

And they haven’t disappointed him. More than 200 singers from five local choirs are already busy rehearsing and there may be still more to come from another group of singers.

Top notch local brass band YBS, conducted by its musical director Morgan Griffiths, will also be on stage with the singers at Huddersfield Town Hall on April 6.

“It is all beginning to come together and I’m delighted at the response from both colleagues in the various choirs and from Lions’ clubs around the area who are supporting the concert,” said John.

“There’s long been a tradition of massed male voice choir events raising money for charity and I wanted to do something similar here in Huddersfield.

“It is a great opportunity to raise money for the Forget-Me-Not Trust and to remind people of the fantastic work in the community done by organisations like the Lions and of the fellowship and camaraderie to be found in male voice choirs.”

There will be a moment too in the concert itself which will undoubtedly make people think hard about the plans of the Forget-Me-Not Trust which aims to build a hospice and respite centre for seriously ill children and their families.

“The hall lights will be dimmed and as the choirs sing Evening’s Pastorale, the only light will be from twinklers worn by choir and audience. We will all take a moment then to think about the children who are ill and who need our help.”

Singers from male voice choirs at Gledholt, Colne Valley, Skelmanthorpe, New Mill and Elland will be conducted by Malcolm Fairless, former conductor of Gledholt, assisted by Sue Christie. Morgan Griffiths will lead the joint items by choir and band.

The programme covers a diverse range of music and includes many male voice favourites. There will be everything from Softly As I Leave You, a song made popular by singers such as Matt Monro and Frank Sinatra to The Rose, written by Amanda McBroom, sung by Bette Midler and used in the film of the same name as the tune.

There will also be established male voice favourites such as Emrys Jones’s Morte Christie and Speed your Journey by Verdi.

The band will be in similarly upbeat form with everything from Sondheim’s Comedy Tonight to Wagner’s Procession To The Minster.

The evening’s finale will include a traditional Last Night of the Proms medley. Norma Walker will be the soloist.

The Lions will be doing their bit by running a raffle before the event. Prizes include a day out at a local spa and a lunch for two at a top notch Colne Valley restaurant.

At the concert, they will be helping to sell programmes in the hall.

Tickets are on sale at the Kirklees Information Centre in Huddersfield.