THE Alma Singers wouldn’t be celebrating their 40th anniversary if a group of parents from Tyntesfield School, Alma Road, Sale, hadn’t sung in a school concert in 1977.

Afterwards they formed a choir, named after Tyntesfield’s address, meeting in private houses but soon moving to the Avenue Methodist Church where they still rehearse.

They will celebrate with an anniversary concert, Songs we have Loved, on May 13 at 7.30 pm at the Larkhill Centre, Timperley, for cancer charity, Clic Sargent.

Their musical director for eight years, Margaret Curzon, said: “We’ll start with the items they sang at Tyntesfield, Bobby Shaftoe and Linden Lea, followed by other songs we have performed.”

The 33 strong choir have chosen musical greats by Mozart, Elgar, and Sullivan plus Broadway and West End hits, African songs and the ever popular Love Walked In and Embraceable You.

The concert will end with favourites such as Unchained Melody and the Titanic theme.

Former members and musical directors have been invited.

One musical director, Katherine Goulden, cannot be traced and they are asking readers to help find her.

Sylvia Tiffin, the last one, will join Tony Heaton, the choir’s pianist for 38 years, to accompany The Rhythm of Life.

Margaret applied after seeing an advert.

“After working with children’s choirs for years, I had been looking to work with adults. I attended a concert and I liked what I heard.”

She’s been there ever since and loves it. “They are so friendly,” she said.

“It’s not just a choir. Recently we have had three golden weddings and two ruby weddings.

“We all love singing and having a laugh at rehearsals. There’ll be more laughs when we enjoy a meal together at the Boathouse Restaurant in Sale in July.”

* Concert tickets, priced £7, from 0161 973 2376.