IN a world where people move house, on average, every four years, and change their marriage partners almost as often as their cars, how refreshing it is to contemplate a relationship that has lasted - and stayed put - for all of 30 years.

On Friday night, friends and admirers joined the Britten Singers in All Saints Church to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this remarkable institution, founded in 1975 by Pamela White, to explore and perform a repertoire that ranges over some five hundred years.

In 2005, Pamela is still there directing the fourteen singers. Although individuals have come and gone, the character, personality and quality of the group bears her stamp.

Over the 30 years, concerts have delighted audiences and raised many thousands of pounds for local charities.

So Friday night had a very special atmosphere, though not without tension for the singers. Not only had they to satisfy themselves and the audience, but in the audience was the composer of a new work, commissioned by them for the anniversary.

David Briggs had been challenged to set Walter d la Mare's poem, Music.

The singers were clearly delighted by the result - a powerful and demanding work, and he was delighted by their performance: the audience also.

Peter Williams