FORTY years ago saw the inaugural commercial flight of Concorde, the world’s first supersonic passenger jet with a speed twice that of the speed of sound.

Also in 1976 a new choir started in Colchester, and in the spirit of that incredible aircraft it took the name “Concorde Singers”.

But whereas Concorde planes were retired in 2003, the Colchester choir is still going strong.

Concorde Singers has its roots in the New Town area of Colchester, where it was established in the former Co-operative Education Centre on the corner of New Town Road and Winsley Road, and it has retained an association with New Town throughout its four decades.

It grew out of a singing for pleasure group operating as a Co-op evening class, started by Rosemary Bland, becoming a mixed four-part choir.

At an early stage it was sponsored by the Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society, and this has continued with the East of England Co-operative Society which was formed by the merger of the Colchester and Ipswich & Norwich Societies.

The choir’s first concert was performed in Spring 1976 at the New Town Co-op Hall, since demolished and replaced with houses.

Although initially the choir was for men and women, with the number of male participants falling the final three male members felt it would be best if it became an all-female choir. This was in 2008.

For the first 13 years the choir was led by Enid Brook. She was followed as musical director in 1989 by Beryl Cowen who was joined by her niece Barbara Cutter as accompanist, who 27 years later is still playing.

Current musical director Mrs Margaret Notley took over in 2000.

Carol Clements, the choir’s secretary and treasurer said: “Over the years Concorde Singers have performed concerts in Colchester Moot Hall, Mercury Theatre, former Garrison Church, St Helena Hospice, Christ Church in Ireton Road, Sixth Form College, Masonic Hall, the Co-op Chapel in Wimpole Road, and Princess Theatre at Clacton.”

It has also sung at weddings.

The choir has given scores of concerts to numerous groups and has also raised thousands of pounds for a wide range of charities.

Mrs Clements said: “We are a group of 34 ladies, of all ages, who enjoy singing and rehearsing at St Matthew’s Church Hall, Harwich Road. We also have a social side and go to various theatre shows, meals and garden parties – we are like one happy family.

“We are a local choir who thoroughly enjoy singing together.”

The choir’s current chairman is Christine Shillaker, who has been a member for around 30 years. She said: “We see ourselves very much as a local choir, a choir for Colchester and district. So we do not enter either regional or national competitions, or travel too far afield.

“We just want to bring pleasure, with our unique blend of musical styles, to our local community.”

She added: “Joining us is very easy.

“We quite deliberately do not insist on auditions – new members, of all ages, are welcome.”

Concorde Singers perform two main concerts each year, in the summer and at Christmas, at St Stephen’s Church Centre in Canterbury Road, New Town.

All proceeds go to charities.

A concert marking the choir’s 40th anniversary will be held on Saturday July, 2 at 7.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased in advance by phone to 01206 213065.

Any unsold tickets will be available on the night. This year’s charity is Barnardo’s.

BY SIR BOB RUSSELL