A NORTH Devon choral society, believed to be one of the oldest in the country, is celebrating 150 years of making music.

The Northam Choral Society will be marking the milestone on November 17. The opening of the Evening School and Choral Society featured in the

North Devon Journal Herald

on November 17, 1859.

Mike Crouch from the group said: "Many choral societies have long pedigrees but the cutting from the Journal shows that Northam Choral is one of the oldest choral societies in Devon and possibly the country.

"We have research that indicates the society has been continuously active throughout the past 150 years."

The society will be holding a small coffee and cake celebration for its members during its rehearsal on November 17, but will be celebrating publicly at its pre-Christmas concert on December 5 at St. Mary's Church, Bideford.

Mr Crouch said: "Come and celebrate with us with mince pies and mulled wine during the interval.

"Most importantly it will be to listen to the society's performance of extracts from the Messiah and to join with us in singing the congregational carols and if you wish the great Halleluiah Chorus."