In July 2006 the third "A Place to be Proud of" awards ceremony took place in Basingstoke's Festival Place and Ann Connolly (Chairman) was delighted to accept the Basingstoke Ambassador award on behalf of the Basingstoke Ladies' Choir. These awards are presented to individuals and organisations who have made a real difference in various aspects of community life in Basingstoke & Deane. They are intended to put the spotlight on local achievement and to raise the profile of Basingstoke & Deane as a place to be proud of.

The choir's achievements in promoting the town include:

1. Ambassadors for Basingstoke at home

Over many years Basingstoke Ladies' Choir has:
· contributed to the artistic, cultural and entertainment life of the Borough
· provided free concerts for the elderly, to those in residential care and those in hospital
· committed itself to supporting many civic events such as the Mayor's Christmas concerts, "Talent of the Town" at The Anvil, events at Milestones Museum, etc.
· supported fund-raising for many local good causes, notably the Mayors' charities
· participated in Basingstoke town centre open-air arts festivals

2. Ambassadors for Basingstoke in the United Kingdom

· Many exchange concerts with choirs in the Midlands and the South/South West
· Participation in the BBC "Let the Peoples Sing"
· Performance in the Royal Albert Hall for SSAFA
· Involvement for television in Noel Edmonds's "House Party" with Barbara Windsor
· Performance of Christmas songs for Meridian Television

3. Ambassadors for Basingstoke in Europe

· Basingstoke Ladies' Choir pioneered choral visits to our twin towns of Alençon and Euskirchen / Stotzheim. BLC have travelled on 6 or 7 occasions and have frequently hosted choirs in Basingstoke.
· BLC participated significantly and enthusiastically in administration and performances for "Arts Cordiale" - a weekend arts festival involving artists and performers from Braine L'Alleud, Alençon, Euskirchen and Basingstoke
· [October 2003] Concert tour to Malta: 3 concerts and 3 short recitals
· [5 - 9 April 2006] Basingstoke Ladies' Choir undertook a ground-breaking concert tour to Weimar and district in eastern Germany. BLC is hoping to host a return visit of the Männerchor Taubach during 2007/

4. Ambassadors for Basingstoke in Canada

In 1996 BLC had a triumphant tour to Ontario, performing ten concerts in twelve days. One concert was televised for Canadian television. Her Majesty the Queen had been informed of the proposed visit and graciously sent the choir a letter of good wishes.

One of the many host choirs - The York Police Male Chorus - came to Basingstoke on a return visit in July / August 2004 and performed with BLC on the occasion of their 40th anniversary at The Haymarket Theatre.