Summer sounds will be filling Hitchin’s St Mary’s Church when the North Herts Guild of Singers stages a festival concert next week.

The Songs for a Summer Evening programme on Saturday, July 11, will feature five folk songs arranged by John Railton, the group’s founder – and noted musician, composer, conductor and teacher – who died two years ago.

Work by choral composer John Rutter and jazz pianist George Shearing is also included.

The choir, led by conductor Stephen Bullmore, has nearly 150 members drawn from three counties. Providing accompaniment on the night will be Colin Spinks (piano) and Alice Kent (double bass).

Tickets for the Hitchin Festival concert, which starts at 7.30pm, are £12 (£10 concessions and £5 for full time students) from the Hitchin Initiative offices in Churchyard or David’s Bookshop in Letchworth. You can also call 01462 790210, 01438 861185 or book online at www.nhgs.org.uk.