A round up of news from the borough’s clubs and societies.

Valentine Singers

Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms is the main item in Valentine Singers’ next concert

Commissioned for the 1965 Chichester Festival, this exciting work demonstrates Bernstein’s gift for hauntingly beautiful melody, intense drama and infectiously jazzy rhythms.

These themes are evident in the composers best-known work, West Side Story - a hit Hollywood musical about the rivalry between two gangs, the Jets and the Sharks and the love one member has for his rival’s sister.

Bernstein’s score includes classics “Maria”, “America”, “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere”.

The Chicester Psalms were originally scored for a full orchestra which the Singers will perform to the composer’s own arrangement for organ, harp percussion instruments.

A work with the same instrumental accompaniment is the Dorchester Canticles by the British composer Tarik O’Regan, first performed in 2004.

Two English works will complete the programme – Gustav Holst’s choral hymns for women’s voices with harp, and Sir Edward Elgar’s anthem “Great is the Lord”.

The concert will be on Saturday, March 12 at 7.30 pm, at St. Andrew’s Church, The Drive, Ilford. Tickets are £14 and £8 for concessions and can be bought from in advance.

Tickets are £14 and £8 for concessions and in advance or £16 on the door. Visit valentinesingers.org for booking information or call 02085504654

Ilford Chess Club

The Ilford Chess Club made an astounding return to form by winning a match against Barking last week.

Having been beat by Basildon a few days before, members faced their competitors with some intrepidation as they had not beaten their formidable opponents in years.

Team rose to the challenge and played with a skill to be proud of.

The club welcomes new members and meet Monday evenings from 7.30pm at Redbridge Social Centre, rear of 188/190 Beehive Lane, Ilford Essex. Contact Tom Barton on 02085501181 or email tom50@btinternet.com for more details.

Redbridge 18 Plus

Members of Redbridge 18 Plus enjoyed a busy weekend at the end of February.

The group held a “Room 101” challenge where the team with the most dislikes in a box won and also enjoyed a trip to the Olympic Park and Three Mills Island.

Members saw how canals and rivers, such as the River Lee, connect together and how tidal mills played a part in developing local industry.

For more information on the club visit redbridge18plus.org.uk or call Fran on 02085541364