The Alan goes to Martin

Martin Perkins is the proud recipient of this year’s Alan prize, awarded to members for outstanding contributions to the choir’s wellbeing.

Martin receives Alan Shield from Kim:  "my humblest day"

At the presentation on the final day of the choir’s Suffolk tour on 16 July, chair Kim Ormond spoke of the dedication and perseverance demonstrated by second tenor Martin in his role as chief reconnaissance officer for the choir’s après venues – the informal singing by the choir following a concert.  Martin would spend many an hour visiting local pubs and ensuring that the one selected was of an appropriate quality and served beer that would match the choir’s expectations and tastes.

In addition, Kim spoke of the fortitude Martin displayed following his unfortunate accident during a choir walk in December 2015, when he slipped on the wintry surface and fractured an ankle ­– never missing a rehearsal despite his crutches and plaster.  “He is an inspiration to us all,” Kim commented.

Martin was visibly moved when he received the famous trophy from Kim at the Holiday Inn, Ipswich, later commenting: “This is the humblest day of my life.”

Jean Cantrell

We are very sad to have to report the death on 22 March of Jean Cantrell, beloved wife of choir top tenor Brian Cantrell, and a tireless choir supporter, renowned for her culinary spreads at choir socials and other choir occasions.  The choir extends its profound sympathy to Brian and their family.  

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES

Our tour this year is to Peterborough - May 13-15 

Dick Jones wins choir prize

This year’s winner of the choir’s Alan Shield is second tenor Dick Jones.

Dick is presented with the Alan Shield by Kim at choir dinner

Dick, who was presented with the shield at the choir dinner on 16 January, was given the award for his help to the choir in a number of ways listed by choir chair Kim Ormond.

Most recently, Dick organised the wonderful concerts given locally by the Ukraine choir the Boyan Ensemble.  The CMVC gave its backing to these concerts and won both good-will and publicity by doing so.

Dick has also run the summer après rehearsal sessions, and arranged for a choir training workshop which took place in 2011 and was conducted by Stephen Brown.    In addition, he recruited several new members from the Croydon Philharmonic Choir.  Making the presentation, Kim thanked Dick for his dedication to the choir.

Dick, who joined CMVC some fifteen years ago, said that he was “surprised and delighted” to have won the award.  He pointed out to the choir that the success of the two Boyan concerts resulted from the efforts of a number of other people, not only himself.  “I am very pleased to accept the honour jointly with all who helped to make my task easier.”

Dick and Kim with shield at Sandilands (photo JWT) 

The Alan Shield is awarded every year to choir members judged by the committee to have made an important contribution to the choir’s activities.  Last year’s winner was concert organiser Stewart Robinson.  The full name of the award is the Alan Robertshaw Shield and it is named after a former choir president who set up the award when he left the choir in the 1990s.

Dorothy Evans (1947-2015)

Jon and Dorothy on tour with the choir at Canons Ashby in May 2013

With great sadness, we report the death of Dorothy Evans.  Dorothy, wife of choir bass Jon, died at Croydon University Hospital on Thursday, 22 October. She was 68 and had suffered from a return of cancer which first affected her in 2008.  Dorothy and Jon were married for 46 years and have two sons, Nick and Laurence.  Dorothy was widely popular for her sociable and ebullient character and she was a frequent presence at choir events.  The choir offers its profound sympathy to Jon and his family.  

THE NEW CHOIR PHOTOS

JWT has delivered the new choir group photos that were taken to mark our fortieth anniversary.    Printed copies are now on sale from JWT.

Names, left to right, from back:

Ernest Williams, Nick Hewitt, Jon Evans, Peter L Gillman, Roger Parkinson, Matthew Wood, Dave Bannister, Ken Chesson, Ralph Osborne, John Hills

Steve Kelly, Dick Jones, Bulla Robinson, Jeff Burtt, Neil Pontin, Tom Jones, Gerry Upjohn, Neville Clark, John Giffen, Bob Mackay

Brian Cantrell, George Young, Keith Sandland, Rob Newall, Paul Binge, Chris Beckley, Martin Perkins, Mark Hughes, Steve Lloyd, Michael Rowe

Octavio Lopez-Garcia, George Stevens, Alex Callender, Vic Wallace, Michael Pardon, John Marshall, Dave Brooker, Bernard Maguire, Ian Martin, Andrew Dadley, Hugh Evans

Phil Blewett, Peter Gillman, Ben Kennedy, Stewart Robinson, John Ward Turner, Frances Ringer, Richard Hoyle, Darren Wilkins, Roger Lee, Tim Ramskill, Tony Keel, Trevor Watkins  

Also members: Kimball Ormond, John Aitkenhead, Ted Mouat, Dick Diplock, Phil Talmage, Jay Rastall, Mike Lane, John Dale, Phil Lewis, Keith Meredith, Peter Smith, Dave Berry

Names, left to right, from back:

Ernest Williams, Nick Hewitt, Jon Evans, Peter L Gillman, Roger Parkinson, Matthew Wood, Dave Bannister, Ken Chesson, Ralph Osborne, John Hills

Steve Kelly, Dick Jones, Bulla Robinson, Jeff Burtt, Neil Pontin, Tom Jones, Gerry Upjohn, Neville Clark, John Giffen, Bob Mackay

Brian Cantrell, George Young, Keith Sandland, Rob Newall, Paul Binge, Chris Beckley, Martin Perkins, Mark Hughes, Steve Lloyd, Michael Rowe, Brian Cousins

Octavio Lopez-Garcia, George Stevens, Alex Callender, Vic Wallace, Michael Pardon, John Marshall, Dave Brooker, Bernard Maguire, Ian Martin, Andrew Dadley, Hugh Evans

Phil Blewett, Peter Gillman, Ben Kennedy, Stewart Robinson, John Ward Turner, Frances Ringer, Richard Hoyle, Darren Wilkins, Roger Lee, Tim Ramskill, Tony Keel, Trevor Watkins 

Also members: Kimball Ormond, John Aitkenhead, Ted Mouat, Dick Diplock, Phil Talmage, Jay Rastall, Mike Lane, John Dale, Phil Lewis, Keith Meredith, Peter Smith, Dave Berry

PS One member appears in this photo but not the one at the top.  Can you spot him?