AN A CAPPELLA singing group is in danger of losing its voice if it cannot recruit new members.

Since the millennium, Swnion, a mixed voice choir, have enjoyed singing in Dolgellau.

Named after ‘swn’ – the Welsh for sound – and Wnion after the river in the town, the group is now looking for new members.

“The group meet on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm upstairs in the Free Library in Mill Street, Dolgellau and we sing and chat and sing some more,” explained Richard Withers, one of Swnion’s members.

“Sometimes we sing our hearts out, sometimes more tentatively because we’re all just learning the tune and the words. There’s no music to read, no auditions, no judgment passed, we just like singing."

He added: “Over the years our choir masters have included Roxanne Smith, self-confessed harmony junkie, and Jamie Dawes, lately of The Spooky Men’s chorale fame.

“Currently we sing with the lovely Charlotte Woodford from Llandinam way.”

Although the group performs to the best of its ability, the main aim is to have fun.

“Our choir masters expect the best, and somewhere along the line, what with the rhythm and the laughter, we manage to give it and by the end of the evening we’ve totally forgotten what it was we worried about on the way in,” continued Richard.

“Not sure if it’s the singing - breathing in deeply to sustain the note - the music, the company or a combination of all, but it’s impossible to be downhearted at the end of a session. Uplifted might cover it.

“If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to sing in a choir, or you’ve hankered after blending your voice with others why don’t you come along and see what you think. Everyone is more than welcome."

Contact Christine on 01341 280870 for more information or email Richard on mail@­richardwithers.co.ukSee this week's north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday