The year-long anniversary celebrations of one of the island’s longest-running choral groups comes to a head this weekend with a concert featuring a wealth of local a guest singers.

The Manx Festival Chorus will perform a stirring version of the Creation, by Haydn, at St George’s Church, Douglas tomorrow (Saturday) from 7pm.

The concert will feature the local singer, Cleveland medal finalist Jane Corkill performing alongside the UK singers tenor Christopher Littlewood, a graduate from the Northern College of Music, and Andrew Greenan, who has graced many stages, such as the New York Metropolitan Opera House, Covent Garden, the Royal Opera House and the Theatre du Chatelat in Paris.

Organist Russell Medley, also from the Northern College of Music as well as the director of the Northern England Chorale , will accompany the concert and the Manx singers will be joined by members of the visiting choir, the North West Festival Chorus.

The concert is the fourth in a series of celebratory concerts, held to mark the 50th anniversary of the Manx Festival Chorus, which began with a performance of ’Elijah’ during May last year, followed by Handel’s ’Messiah’ in December and Stainer’s Crucifixion’, sung during Easter last month.

The concert will be conducted by the long-serving leader and conductor of the Manx choir, John Bethell, who formed the choir 1969.

Dylis Watson, the chairman of the choir, said that the choir was extremely lucky to be led by John, and that his experience and enthusiasm has kept the choir going over the years.

’His is a remarkable feat to have spent 50 years running this choir,’ said Dylis.

’We don’t think there is anyone who could say they have done the same.

’He inspires and motivates people and, because of that, people turn out in all weather to rehearse. And, in some cases, people who joined the choir when it first started are still with us.’

Tickets are £10 for adults and £2 for students, available on the door.