A BRIEF HISTORY OF WHITEHAVEN: The historic town of Whitehaven is situated on the Northwest Coast of England in the county of Cumbria and nestles between the Irish Sea and the beautiful Lake District. Whitehaven was a town built on coal, the industry that the monks at nearby St Bees first developed in the 13th century, although the town itself was planned and built in the 18th century. The town centre now is predominantly Georgian, although there is evidence of Italianate and Gothic architecture to be seen. It was the seat of the Lowther family, whose family crest was incorporated into the town insignia and which the Choir proudly wear as their blazer badge. The town is built on the foursquare grid system typical of Georgian towns. The town has 'tons' of history, not all of it good. There are links with America, through George Washington (whose grandmother Mildred Gale is buried in Whitehaven) and John Paul Jones who was raised in the town, trained as a seaman and subsequently founded the American Navy, in a cruel twist of fate, he actually sailed his American ship Ranger to Whitehaven in 1778 and attacked the town. There are also links with the slave trade, tobacco, sugar and rum. The wonderful coastline was once home to smugglers! There is a history of shipbuilding, plus ancillary trades and the town was once the third largest port in mainland Britain after London and Liverpool. More recently, the biennial International Maritime Festival has put Whitehaven firmly on the tourist map, attracting large numbers of visitors to the town and the creatively restored harbour. Add to this the fact that at only half-an-hour away from the Western Lake District, it can be truly thought of as a gateway to the past, present and future. Take a tour of Whitehaven's Marina. WHITEHAVEN MALE VOICE CHOIR: Not only is the town itself steeped in history, but the Male Voice movement can also be traced back to the 1800's and can boast that in the early 1900's a local Miners' Male Voice Choir was formed, to raise funds during the Miners' Lock-Out. Founded in 1977, the present Whitehaven Male Voice Choir has established an enviable reputation among the musical world of male voices in Britain, along with appearances on local radio and television. During the Choir's thirty year existence, it has taken part in many musical festivals and proven its quality by winning many first prizes and has been joined in concert by world renowned soloists and choirs from Britain and America. The Choir have performed in many prestigious venues, such as The Royal Albert Hall in London; on three occasions, Cardiff Arms Park; twice and Sheffield Arena, to name a few. In June every year, the Choir hosts it’s prestigious ‘Annual Concert’ in Whitehaven Civic Hall, for which they engage the services of guest soloists or choirs of national/international renown. These ‘sell-out’ concerts have become a highlight in the annual calendar of Cumbria’s cultural and music scene; it is the only concert throughout the year, from which the proceeds are for the Choir’s own funds. Another highlight of the Choir year is their Christmas Celebration Concert, the proceeds from which are donated to a local charity, selected by the Choir. Every year the Choir raises thousands of pounds, through their sell-out concerts, for charities throughout Britain. The Choir's greatest delight, is to let their enthusiasm and love of singing well-over for the enjoyment of others, so relax and enjoy the sound of Whitehaven Male Voice Choir in their very own MySpace.
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