CELEBRATIONS were in order as the Freedance choir marked the 50th anniversary of the Landmark Trust with a specially-written anthem.

The anniversary celebrations took place at Clavell Tower, which stands high on the cliff at Kimmeridge Bay. Clavell Tower was built in 1830 and its location captivated many, including writers like Thomas Hardy and PD James.

The Freedance Choir performance was held on Saturday, May 16, with the anthem performed at the tower before further songs were sang near the Marine Centre.

The anniversary event was organised in conjunction with Artsreach, Dorset's touring arts organisation.

The Landmark Trust, a charity that takes on historic places in danger and carefully restores them, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The Trust has more than 200 buildings in its care in Britain, ranging from picturesque pavilions, medieval houses, artillery forts, the homes of great writers and more.

Choir leader Sammy Hurden said the Kimmeridge performance marked the first time the choir had sang at a Landmark Trust building.

She added: “The performance was brilliant and we would love to perform at other Landmark Trust buildings.

“The special anthem performed by the choir was written by Kerry Andrew, and we then put together the song from a main chorus, notes and ideas given by Kerry.

“This was a new way of working for our choir and it was really fun.

“Other songs we performed included songs written by me, including a new one called Kimmeridge Kestrel which was inspired by a recent visit to the tower.”

The national director of the Landmark Trust, Dr Anna Keay, was there in person to make a speech about the Trust’s 50th anniversary.

Sammy added: “The Freedance Choir was formed from a cultural Olympiad project in 2012.

“We also had the delight of seeing Antony Gormley's fantastic LAND sculpture at Kimmeridge Bay. The event went really well and we were very pleased to perform as part of it.”