BARROW'S oldest choir made the sad decision to pack up 25 years ago.

Barrow Madrigal Society was formed in 1900 and news of its closure came in the Evening Mail of July 13 in 1991.

The decision was reached by a slender majority and came shortly after the choir had received a standing ovation for a concert at Grange.

The choir's last song in public was All in the April Evening which was dedicated to society founder Mrs T. M. Bourne by composer Sir Hugh Robertson.

Mrs Bourne conducted the choir - which was once 60-strong - for its first 47 years.

Choir chairwoman Josie Bennett said: "We are sad to be closing after 91 years.

"What our forebears would think, I don't know."

Lack of male singers was the main reason behind the choir's closure.

Their voices were essential for the oratorio pieces the choir preferred, such as Messiah, Elijah or the Crucifixion.

Our main picture of the choir is from 1970 and was taken during rehearsals for Haydn's Creation.

The choir had success in competitions - winning more than 400 prizes, including the Baxter shield for mixed choir singing at the 1906 Morecambe Musical Festival.

The choir went back to win the shield in four consecutive years from 1924 to 1927.

In 1970 the conductor was Merle Davidson, a former solo soprano.

A concert programme from 1968 noted that: "She has broadcast on several occasions and is the director of Ulverston Choral Society as well as being the choirmistress of St Mark's Church, Barrow."