A DEVOTED conductor is celebrating half a century leading a Radcliffe choir at a special concert this weekend.

Radcliffe Male Voice Choir is holding its 94th annual gala concert on Saturday, which also marks Keith Heywood’s 50th year as their musical director.

The 82-year-old, previously conductor of Ramsbottom Choral Society, took charge of the group in 1965 as a favour when his predecessor fell ill, and says he has no thoughts of giving the job up.

The grandfather-of-three, of Turton Close, said: “I just got hooked on the male voice choir straight away. It really gets under your skin because it’s so different to mixed singing.

“I couldn't have imagined that I would be in the job for 50 years, but I have never once thought of leaving because I love it so much.

“Some people think it’s boring and old-fashioned but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“All of the concerts we do are wonderful events, and there’s actually a lot of modern music in there.”

The former painter and decorator was first introduced to orchestral music in church by his parents, who were both keen musicians themselves.

And although attracting people to the group, which self-funds most of its concerts, can be a challenge, Keith knows better than anyone that the choir has an enduring appeal.

He added: “It can be a struggle to get people involved sometimes, simply because most people don’t have faith that they are good enough singers.

“But once we get people over the threshold, they get hooked for life, just like I did.

“We enjoy the camaraderie that we get as much as anything – it really is a family here.

“I’m riddled with arthritis now so it can be a bit difficult for me sometimes and occasionally I wish I wasn’t doing it.

“But once I’m there it acts as therapy for me. All you can focus on is the music and I forget everything else.”

The concert takes place at 7.15pm on Saturday at Bolton Road Methodist Church in Bury, with tickets priced at £8 and available by calling 0161 764 4581 or 01204 886325.