AN ANDOVER choir is celebrating a win at one of the country’s longest-running festivals.

Andover Ladies Choir competed in the prestigious Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts last month, which started in 1926, and comprises more than 300 classes.

The choir competed in several classes and achieved high honours in all, with their songs including an emotional a cappella rendition of When She Loved Me from Toy Story 2 and a rousing medley of You’ll Never Walk Alone/Climb Ev’ry Mountain.

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Andover Advertiser: Andover Ladies Choir performing at Cheltenham Festival of Performing ArtsAndover Ladies Choir performing at Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts (Image: Andover Ladies Choir)Their highlight came when they were awarded the Ethel Salisbury Cup in the Folk Song class, with the beautiful contemporary folk piece Your One and Only Life by Susan Crowe and a very fast, jaunty a cappella arrangement by Robert Latham of the traditional Bobby Shaftoe.

Founder and music director Clare Oliver said: “We had such a super day listening to all the other amazing choirs, and it was just wonderful to bring a cup home!”

The choir rehearses weekly in Thruxton Memorial Hall and enjoys performing locally as well as further afield such as the Tower of London, Bath and Swindon.

The choir are very busy rehearsing for their main summer concert Tea for Two, this will feature all of their Cheltenham songs along with other favourites, and also the choir’s special guests Swindon Male Voice Choir.

Tickets include afternoon tea and are available online at tickettailor.com/events/andoverladieschoir or by phone 07880 706601.