The Rawstorne Singers (based in Leyland, Preston is a choral group of approximately 30 mixed voices that has been established now since 1980. Taking its name from Bishop Atherton Gwillym Rawstorne (b.1855), once Rector of Croston, and the only ever Bishop of Whalley (1909-1936), the Choir was originally formed in 1980 as a visiting and training choir for the pupils of Bishop Rawstorne High School
in Croston by Michael Sands, Director of Music at the School. The aim was to extend what the students could do musically by bringing into the School's Choirs the more mature voices of parents, staff, friends and former pupils. Establishing it as a member of Making Music (and making the choir a registered charity), also meant that the running of the choir would give older students an understanding of how to run a choral society themselves at university or in adult life generally. Musically, the intention was to give concerts (featuring and extending their repertoire to include reputable chamber choral works), to sing church services (in local churches), and to undertake a week-long summer residential visit or tour, when the choir would deputise for an English Cathedral choir for a week or so. In October, 2006, the Singers, under Michael's sustained leadership, completed their (or rather his) 50th and final Anglican Cathedral in the UK England and Wales), during a weekend visit to Ely, in Cambridgeshire. In addition to singing services at a number of Abbeys and Minsters and performance of many concerts, both religious and secular, in and around the Preston area, the Choir has undertaken a civic role for the City of Preston - singing for Mayoral Services, Christmas Charity Events, annual carol concerts for the Lancashire Evening Post and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England . Having won the Freckleton Music Festival Choral Rosebowl for two consecutive years (2001 and 2002) the Choir has also made several TV appearances on ITV's "My Favourite Hymns". The Choir still undertakes a number of weekend singing visits - all over the UK - and the summer visits (usually a week to ten days, taking over the duties of a Cathedral choir.
