AIREBOROUGH choir Hopes and Dreams sang at the Royal Albert Hall on May 5.

Choir member Carolyn Moffatt said: "After six weeks of practising at church under the leadership of Mark Cahill, our inspirational music director, we climbed aboard the Dalesman coach and headed south down the M1 to London. The bus was filled with nervous chatter and excited anticipation. The big day had finally arrived for our Hopes and Dreams choir from Aireborough to take part in the Prom Praise concert at the Royal Albert Hall. This annual event was also to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the Tearfund Charity, a worldwide Christian relief agency, supported by Sir Cliff Richard.

"After two hours’ rehearsal in the afternoon with over 20 church choirs from around the country with the renowned All Souls Orchestra, under the expert baton of the energetic Noel Tredinnick, we were soon fine-tuned and ready for the evening concert. Also appearing were The Sons of Jubal Choir from Atlanta, Georgia and various individual artists, to present this Christian musical event.

"With everyone looking smart in red and black, the orchestra played and we sang our hearts out for two hours to a packed Albert Hall. It was great to make new friends and represent Yorkshire alongside a choir from York. The conductor inspired everyone to join in and we raised the roof, ending with a rousing rendition of The Greatest Day in History. It was a spectacular evening. Despite strained voices and aching feet, we all pledged to come back next year."