THE lusty lungs and lips of 60 choristers and bandsmen will raise the roof of the Cathedral of the Forest — All Saints, Newland — in a unique and spectacular concert on Saturday (May 14).

Members of Forest Brass and the Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir will be celebrating

local traditions, including mining.

And they will premiere the composition Union which features the band, the choir and a narrator telling the story of the 1902 Union Colliery disaster near Cannop. It has been written especially for the occasion by

Lydney-born composer Chris Howley, director of music with Forest Brass and Cinderford Town bands.

Mr Howley has previously written a highly acclaimed composition — A Gloucestershire Lad at home and abroad — celebrating the work of the poet F W Harvey. It was first performed at a concert in Gloucester Cathedral.

Bands and choirs have always gone hand in glove with mining and there were strong associations throughout the Forest. Members of Yorkley Band — from which Forest Brass emerged — played at the funeral of the brothers who died in the Union pit disaster.

The concert will feature a reading by freeminer Richard Daniels of a collier recalling the flood that engulfed the pit.

The choir and band will also play compositions capturing the musical traditions of the Forest, and special items include a performance of Dick Brice’s A Land Between Two Rivers and a new and thrilling ar­rangement of the Star Wars theme. The audience will also be invited to join with the band and choir in a rendition of How Great Thou Art.

Mr Howley has set local people a challenge.

He says: “It is fabulous to be playing in such an historic venue and the acoustics will make it a night to remember. The music will suit all ages and even if you think you don’t like brass music or choirs come to this concert and we will change your mind.”

The event is part of the Heritage Lottery funded Foresters’ Forest project. More event are planned over the next five years.

Tickets and reservations are available by contacting Sharon on Dean 564920 or on the door. The concert begins at 7.30pm.