THE recruitment representative for Steeton Male Voice Choir, Mr Kenneth Wardell, received his 25 year badge at the choir rehearsal last Monday.

Tribute was paid to Mr Wardell, of St Mary’s Close, Ilkley, by the choir president Mr Len Wilson. Many of the choir come from Ilkley and travel to rehearsals in Steeton Chapel every Monday.

Mr Wilson was honoured to present long service awards to three outstanding choristers. He is highly qualified to do this as his service is well over 40 years. The choir, now in its 110th year, cannot boast any founder members.

A choir spokesman said: “Kenneth Wardell has served the choir unstintingly for 25 years, a stalwart of the top tenor section and is still doing it despite in recent years clearly having something of a struggle and his determination to carry on deserves our thanks and admiration. In addition of course was his work as our Recruiting Officer for over 20 years. Many of you will be living proof of his powers of persuasion. Give him a name of a possible recruit and see him go!”

Steeton Male Voice Choir were honoured on stage at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, November 3, when they took part in a gala concert in aid of Cancer Research UK Festival of Brass and Voices.

The choir featured on two pages of the Gala Concert programme and a certificate was presented to Mike Hopkinson to: “Confirm and Thank Steeton Male Voice Choir who have attended every festival” and “with grateful thanks for your support, which has enabled us to contribute so much for research into the cure and care of cancer sufferers”. Michael was highly qualified to receive this certificate as he has attended every concert since the premier concert in 1987.