A ROMSEY choir scooped

third place at a recent competition.

The Romsey Male Voice Choir came in third place in the International Bournemouth choral competition at the Lighthouse Arts Centre in Poole.

The group performed Bui Doi from Miss Saigon, What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor and Walking by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

They competed against nine other choirs from across the UK and chairman Peter Ashby said: “We were up against tough competition.”

He added:“Under the great stewardship of Marion Maxey, our choir musical director, it is clear the choir is just getting better and better and the hard work of all our choristers and Marion definitely paid off in the competition.

“We were apprehensive but we are delighted with how we did.”

The choir formed 25 years ago but members have only been competing since 2017.

Peter said: “We decided to start competing for independent verification of how good we were.

“Rather than just meeting up and singing as a hobby, competing gives us something to work towards.”

The choir’s next challenge is a competition in Cornwall that will take place over the May bank holiday

Peter added: “I am both hopeful and confident we will come away with yet another trophy as well as enjoying much loved social time during our annual tour.”

The choir meet every Monday evening at Romsey Baptist Church for two hours at at 7.30pm

Peter said: “Romsey has a phenomenal number of good choirs but we are always on the look out for new members.

“People should come along as it’s good fun, it’s a great sense of achievement when competing in the competitions and you get to spend time with like minded people who love to sing.”