A CHOIR made homeless earlier this year put on “one of the best concerts” in its 81-year history after finding a new rehearsal base.

The Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir was locked out of its practice room at the Lord Nuffield Club in Cowley when the venue went into administration this summer.

But with help from an appeal in the Oxford Mail in August, the choir has now been rehoused at the Oxford Academy in Littlemore.

And on Saturday, it appeared at Oxford Town Hall for a charity event in aid of Helen & Douglas House hospice, which offers respite care for seriously ill children and young adults in East Oxford.

An audience of more than 400 people also saw performances from choirs from Maesteg and Treharris.

Oxford choir chairman Phil Lewis, 72, from Abingdon, said: “It went absolutely brilliantly.

“We had about 450 people there, which was over the break-even point, so I’m sure we will have made some money for the hospice.

“We should know the exact figure in about a week.

“There were three choirs and 104 voices on stage, which was excellent. Each choir sang their own bit one after another.”

It was the first time in 25 years the choir, which raises about £20,000 a year for charity, had sung in aid of the hospice.

The event was attended by the hospice’s founder, Sister Frances Dominica.

Mr Lewis said: “It has been a long time since we sang for Helen & Douglas House. Sister Frances was excellent and gave a very good speech.

“She had gone back in the records and found it was 25 years (since we last performed), so it was great to be doing something for them again.”