Shield surprise for Kim 

April 13: CMVC chair Kim Ormond was in for a big surprise at the choir’s annual dinner on Saturday.

The dinner traditionally includes the presentation of the choir’s annual Alan Robertshaw Shield. This is awarded to a member or members considered to have made a significant contribution to the choir’s activities during the previous year.

John presents Alan Shield to astonished Kim

The winner is customarily selected by the choir committee.  This year, in a WhatsApp chat, Kim proposed the choir’s shanty group, the Sandilands ShantyMen.

The committee readily agreed – but, unknown to Kim, was plotting to award it to him instead.

Led by choir secretary Roger Lee, it arranged to hand Kim an Oscars-style envelope which would contain the name of the winner – presumed by Kim to be the ShantyMen.  At the dinner, at Shirley Park Golf Club, Kim stood up, with his speech about the Shantymen already prepared, and said he would open the envelope.

“And the winner,” he announced, “is…….me”

"And the winner is.....me!"   Roger holds the shield while Kim's wife Annie (centre) applauds. (Photos Paul Binge)

Kim was greeted with uproarious laughter and applause.  He remained almost speechless as top tenor John Marshall handed him the shield.

John had been selected for this role as he is the only person to have been in the choir for even longer than Kim: 45 versus 44 years.  John thanked Kim for all he had done for the choir over the years, which included overseeing its growth to its current size of 60-plus, and arranging for it to have charitable status.   "We owe him an awful lot," John said. 

Kim, still almost overcome, thanked the entire choir for the honour – so richly deserved.