MINEHEAD Male Voice Choir has started this year in style with a new blazer badge created to be worn on all formal choir occasions.

The new badge features five distinctive emblems, first, the stag of Exmoor, a woolsack, a sailing ship (these two to celebrate the industrial past of the town), and lastly, the griffin emblem of Somerset.

Centrally in the badge is the sign of a treble clef to signify the purpose of the choir.

The whole badge is in gold thread on a blue background.

To complement the badge, the choir has chosen a new tie which features gold bars upon a blue background.

The choir has already started rehearsing their music repertoire for the new season, and, in particular, are looking forward to a touring visit to Cornwall over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

The tour will see the choir perform in Truro Cathedral and also at the famous Minack Theatre, at Penzance, among a number of other venues.

Choir liaison officer Keith Wiseman told the Free Press: “The choir sees itself as representing Minehead, particularly when they are touring, and hope their updated ensemble will prove to be an asset in the eye of their audiences.”