Chepstow Male Voice Choir is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Started in 1988, the choir soon grew into the award-winning choir you see and hear today.

Not only has it entertained many thousands of people over 25 years, but it has helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for local, national and international charities.

In this respect, the score for the past two years alone is some £30,000.

The choir's repertoire is varied, from Welsh church (and chapel) music to folk songs; from the musical stage and film to grand opera and much more.

Pieces are sung in a variety of languages, mainly English and Welsh, but also Italian, French, even Dutch

The choir has not yet got around to Serbo Croat, but it is currently learning the Geordie dialect as a tour of Northumbria is planned for June, which will include a concert on Lindisfarne, that is, Holy Island and a recital in Wakefield Cathedral on the journey north.

Peter Kent, the choir's concert manager has checked the tide times for Lindisfarne to avoid stranding.

The next local concert will be the Silver Jubilee Annual Concert on Saturday 18th May.

This concert starts at 7pm in St Mary's Priory Church in Chepstow. The evening will include a professional soloist and the usual popular draw.

Tickets are £10 and are available from Chepstow Leisure Centre; the Herbert Lewis store in the High Street; the Tourist Information Centre, (Bridge Street), and from any choir member.