OVER 60 CHOIRS LANCASHIRE - a vintage enamelled membership badge (c.1950's). A scarce to rare badge.

Postage is extra.

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For sale is a vintage enamel badge of the OVER 60 CHOIRS LANCASHIRE may have been issued as a fund-raising supporter’s badge or as a membership badge for those in their over-60s choirs. I believe this is a very scarce to rare badge.

The Over 60 Choirs Lancashire were formed in the early 1950’s (1953?) and were the mainstay behind the annual Lancashire Over 60 Choir Festival that took place during April or May. The Manchester Evening News newspaper was a major sponsor of the festival and the first prize trophy to be won at each was called the Manchester Evening News Cup, along with seven other Challenge Cups as prizes for other classes and runner-ups. Up to around 700 singers (over 700 at the 13th Festival in 1967) could take part in an annual festival which also included a novice class for newly formed choirs and a special class for small choirs. Members of the choirs also staged concerts at numerous other locations and events. One of the main aims of the annual festivals was to encourage new choirs to be formed in all over-60's clubs throughout Lancashire.


- Manchester Evening News Friday 20th May 1955
Photo caption: "Its never too old to sing" ....and win a trophy too. Collyhurst C.A. Over 60 Choir won the Manchester Evening News Cup at Blackpool's Lancashire Over 60 Choir Festival. And here is Mr. H. Dring, conductor, receiving the trophy from the Deputy Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Waterhouse."

- Heywood Advertiser Friday 22nd December 1967
"The Community Council of Lancashire is planning the 14th annual over-60's choir festival to take place on Thursday 25 April 1968 at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool" - at the 13th Festival (1967) over 700 singers took part. Eight "handsome silver Challenge cups must be won and there is a novice class for newly formed choirs, also a special class for small choirs. One of the main aims of the festival is to encourage new choirs to be formed in all over-60's clubs in Lancashire. These choirs enjoy giving concerts wherever they go ....." .

- Heywood Advertiser Friday 21st April 1972
18th Lancashire Over 60 Choirs Festival to take place at the Floral Hall in Southport in May..... "The champions of the Festival will hold the Manchester Evening News Cup for a year and there are seven more cups to be won. Anyone who has reached the age of 60 is eligible to join in their local Over 60s choir."

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DESCRIPTION:
Size: about 1" diameter (25mm).
Material(s): brass metal with 1 enamel.
Finish: gilt.
Fitting: pin.
Imprint: none.
Approximate age: mid-1950's to late 1960's.

CONDITION:
Very good condition. No damage. Pin in working order. Wear to the gilt plating commensurate with age and wear.
Please see photograph(s), these form part of the description.

POSTAGE:
* Postal costs are extra, additional to the Asking Price
* I always get a proof-of-posting certificate.
* I combine postal costs for multiple items when these are paid for and posted the same time.

RETURNS:
* Return accepted if the item(s) is returned in same condition it left me, then the full Agreed Asking Price will be refunded. Postal costs are not refundable.
* Buyer pays the return postal costs - unless agreed otherwise.

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