Tarleton Community Primary has held a special event in honour of winning the Last Choir Singing Competition 2016 Grand Final.

The Last Choir Singing Competition has been an incredible success since its launch in 2014. Created, organised and sponsored by True Bearing Chartered Financial Planners, the competition aims to raise awareness of singing in junior schools and to demonstrate that music education is alive and well in Lancashire.

Andrew and Kirsty Kenyon and Jane Ramones, the new owners of Whittles Farm restaurant hosted the special event for the 2016 winners. The Kenyons’ daughter is a member of the Last Choir Singing 2016 winning choir. “It is a wonderful opportunity for the children to perform on such a big stage as King George’s Hall in Blackburn,” said Kirsty. “Being part of Tarleton Community Primary’s choir has given my daughter so much more confidence and enjoyment. She loves the camaraderie and the feeling of being part of a team. Philippa Russmann, the Choir Teacher, works so hard for our children. This event tonight is our way of saying thank you.”

The choir performed at the special celebratory event, and also sang the song that won them the competition. In addition to the children’s performance, the audience was bowled over by Britain’s Got Talent, 2015 semi-finalist, Henry Gallagher. Having previously entertained the spectators at the Last Choir Final it felt right for Tarleton Community Primary to invite him along to perform once again. He didn’t fail to impress as he was watched by pupils and parents singing, amongst other songs, ‘Lightning’, the song that shot him to fame.

The evening culminated with the Last Choir Singing trophy being once again presented to the choir by the Mayor of West Lancashire, Liz Savage.

Philippa Russmann, Choir Teacher at Tarleton Community Primary said: “This was a lovely way to end the term for the children, especially as some of the choir will be moving on to high school. ‘I am so proud of them. We have received wonderful feedback from so many people, and I feel quite overwhelmed with the comments from the Last Choir Singing judges. My choir deserves this evening. They have worked so hard. Thank you to Whittles Farm for showing their support in this way.”

Entries are now open for the Last Choir Singing 2017 competition. The winning choir will receive £1,000 in vouchers towards music equipment for their school. Runners-up will receive £500 and £250 accordingly and winners of the regional heats will receive £250. In addition, prizes will also be given for the choirs who show artistic expression and new for 2017 is a ‘Best Newcomer’ award and prize. Entry is free and it only takes five minutes to complete the entry form, all details can be found at lastchoirsinging.co.uk/information