A DEDICATED singing group will be paying a commemorative visit to its French counterpart in May as part of a golden celebration.

The French town of Mâcon has been twinned with Nantwich and Crewe since 1957 and this year the towns enjoy their 50th anniversary.

In tribute, Nantwich Choral Society (NCS) is going to mark the occasion with a unique performance which will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European Union.

Mâcon's choral group L'Ensemble Vocal Arpège will also return the favour at the end of July when it is scheduled to visit Nantwich to perform alongside its NCS colleagues.

Musical director John Naylor said: "The choir had been to Mâcon before and one of the members kept in touch by writing a letter each year.

"They asked if we were going to do anything for the 50th anniversary and it escalated from this personal contact as previously we had thought about doing a trip to Prague.

"We are going to sing Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man which we feel is particularly appropriate because it is partly sung in French and partly sung in English, and is about peace, brotherhood and national unity."

Formed from an educational group in 1972, Nantwich Choral Society comprises 85 singers from in and around Nantwich.

The group performs a wide range of choral works from Baroque masterpieces to contemporary compositions and sings either unaccompanied or with instrumental or orchestral backing.

With 35 years' experience, the singers have built up an enviable reputation in the area and are known for their uplifting performances at the parish church of St Mary's in Nantwich and at other churches throughout Cheshire.

NCS is also enjoying a new wave of popularity thanks to musical director John Naylor, who joined the group in September 2005.

John added: "I was fortunate enough to retire early and devote more time to the choral community. I conducted a chamber choir for many years specialising in cathedral music.

"I joined Nantwich Choral Society as an opportunity to do some bigger choral work and I've done some absolutely super concerts.

"At the last performance, the church was completely packed!"

Under John's direction, the group had the honour of performing the extremely popular Monteverdi's Vespers at St Boniface church in Bunbury in late 2006.

With introspective solo passages building into dramatic chorus movements, the performance proved to be one of the most popular to date.

The society also makes Christmas that extra bit special in Nantwich with family carols every year.

For more information on performances or for anyone interested in joining the society, visit www.nantwichchoral.org.uk or call 01270 625579.