Last updated 05:17, Friday, 28 November 2008

The enduringly popular Carlisle Musical Society is celebrating its 80th birthday with a special concert in the city tomorrow.

By Stephen Blease

And a singing star and former member will be flying in from Barbados to join them.

Professional singer Andrew Robley, who has just been performing in the West Indies, returns to Carlisle today for tomorrow’s anniversary show at The Sands Centre.

The show, It’s Our Musical World is made up of two parts. The first half features society members and youngsters from Stanwix Junior School choir performing the Christmas musical Pop Along to Bethlehem, written and directed by its joint musical director Steve Viney.

In the second half the Society will be joined on stage by Andrew to perform songs from many of the musicals they have put on over the years.

The Society was founded in 1928 by Charles Eastwood, a former organist and choirmaster at St Cuthbert’s Church.

Andrew is one of its best-known former members. He began singing as a chorister at Carlisle Cathedral and joined the Society aged 16 – just after becoming a tenor.

“The Musical Society was a great help to me when I began. I learnt so much from them when I was staring out,” he said.

The show begins at 7.15pm. Tickets cost £9 or £10 with concessions available, and are on sale from The Sands Centre box office on 01228 625222.