A choir from Staffordshire walked away with the top award from the Isle of Man Festival of Choirs.

’Friday Voices’, conducted by previous festival winner Chris Mallinson, won the title of ’Choir of the Festival’, at the end of the three-day singing competition held at the Villa Marina last weekend.

They won the Mixed Voice choir class and took home the top prize of £1,500.

Chanteuse Ladies won both the ensemble and Ladies choir class, and the Male Voice choir was won by the welsh choir from Flint.

We had a superb weekend,’ said organiser Geoff Corkish MLC. ’ All the choirs were fantastic, and we had some great feedback from them about the quality of the venue, the festival itself as well as the quality of their time on the island.

’In particular, we had a wonderful audience for both nights, who were very respectful and appreciative of the music on offer. Their appetite for the festival made for a much better experience.

The adjudicator for the weekend festival was Stanley Roocroft, who, as an adjudicator for The British and International Federation of Festivals, brought a wealth of experience to the proceedings. ’We were very lucky to have such a good adjudicator with us this year,’ said Geoff.

’He really appealed to the people with his nature and explained everything very well.’

Although there were no Manx successes in the competitions, the local choirs held their own very well, alongside some quality performances from the visiting choirs. The Glenfaba Chorale claimed two second places in the Mixed Voices and the Ensemble classes.

’Altogether it was a fantastic weekend,’ said Geoff. ’We have had some brilliant feedback, and this festival really is going from strength to strength.

’We were hampered a little by the weekend weather, but even storm Brian didn’t detract from the festival.’