IT is Bolton's oldest boy band and now one of its members has honoured following his 90th birthday.

Terry Smith was given the title of Life President of Phoenix Knights of Harmony, a barbershop choir.

The retired telecoms workers developed a passion for barbershop singing when he, George Denton, Walter Mariner, and Brian Turner, formed the Four Strops quartet in 1975.

The group later became known as the Cottontown Chorus of Bolton, and then the Phoenix Knights of Harmony.

Terry has a wealth of knowledge, achievements, enthusiasm and devotion to the barbershop singing genre, and chairman, Gerry Marsden, said that it was “a great honour and privilege" to present Terry with his Life President Award.

He said: “Terry is respected nationally and internationally for his dedication and enduring commitment to barbershop singing”.

Terry shares his Life President roles of both the Cottontown Chorus and Phoenix Knights of Harmony with George.

The Cottontown Chorus achieved the status of National Champions, bringing home the Gold Medal for the first time in 2005.

Don Fairclough, Cottontown Chorus’s Director, said: “It is great to have Terry singing with us and he will offer his advice to assist the Chorus and myself, to produce a good and harmonious result.”

Terry, along with his wife Teresa, enjoys sport, gardening, leisure walks and musical theatre when he’s not singing.

The Phoenix Knights of Harmony calendar of events has, like many other bands, been impacted by Covid-19, but will now be making up for this in the Annual Remembrance Concert at the Albert Halls, Bolton on Thursday 11th November.

The group will also be singing at Asda Astley Bridge for Children in Need on Tuesday, November 12th and there are plans to put on a Christmas concert o,n Friday December 10.

New singing members are always welcome to join in the harmony singing fun at Astley Bridge Conservative Club, every Tuesday evening.

If you are interested in taking part in this more can be found here: https://www.locaji.co.uk/greater-manchester/bolton/astley-bridge-conservative-club/334421/


The selection of music includes many new popular songs, not just in the barbershop style, to appeal to their audiences.

More information on the group can be found on: www.phoenixknights.co.uk.