Box Hill

It was a pleasure to return to Bedford Heights Retirement Village after two and a half years.

The choir commenced with the old favourite We’ll Keep a Welcome. After a reciprocal welcome from the village representative, we were into the nostalgic Yfory (Tomorrow). Next was Calon Lân; as this is a favourite of Mick Matthews, ex-President of the choir and resident of the village, he was invited to join the choir to help us sing this rousing tune. Needless to say, Mick hadn’t forgotten any of the words. This was followed by Cwm Rhondda which was the opportunity for all the other patrons to heartily join in with the choruses.

As the choir and audience took a rest, Drew Hopkins and Rushan Hewawasam joined forces to harmoniously sing the wistful duet Isle of Hope Isle of Tears.

Compère Bob Ash introduced the next bracket – The Rose, You’ll Never Walk Alone (soloist Roger Bartlett), Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi (soloist Tony Hosemans) and the Rutter arrangement of When the Saints Go Marching In. Faleiry rehearsed the eager audience several times in their final choruses and so the first half came to a joyful and uplifting finish.

The second half started with the famous Men of Harlech followed by All Through the Night with tenor soloist Gordon Parsons.  Roger came back on the mellifluous Homeward Bound before a small anvil was manoeuvred on stage by ‘blacksmith’ Col Evans to accompany the choir in the Anvil Chorus, sung in Italian.

Versatile compère Bob was next with a stunning performance of A Prince Among Men.  Adding to the mining theme, Tom Morgan told the heartbreaking tale of a Working Man backed up by the choir.

This was followed by John Hales and Geoff Serpell’s first public performance of the witty Agony by Stephen Sondheim from his show Into the Woods.

Hard-working Geoff stayed on stage and was joined by Drew to launch into the modern arrangement of Waltzing Matilda, the final chorus of which found a section of the choir also singing the Welsh National Anthem (Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau) at the same time.

Then it was time for Drew to perform the spirited Spanish Lady with castanets and flamenco by Geoff Roberts and enthusiastic clapping by choir and patrons alike. After the final Olé the choir was thanked by Helen, of the organising committee, and then the choir surrounded the audience to sing its farewells with the haunting Sunset Poem – a beautiful ending to an afternoon’s shared musical journey.

Audience comments included:

Lovely variety. Loved it all, especially the Welsh mining songs. Thank you.

A great afternoon’s entertainment. Hope you come back again. Margaret

Super!! Come again, please. Fay

Very good. RuthA

Superb afternoon’s entertainment enjoyed by both audience and performers. Thank you. Roger

It was wonderful. Margery

A very entertaining concert, well balanced performance with humour to break the fine singing that was presented.

Once again a enjoyable afternoon of being entertained by this wonderful Choir, with their diverse range of musical pieces, and by guest artist David Hobson, with his melodious tenor voice and outstanding stage presence. Kudos as always to Musical Director, Faleiry Koczkar, and piano accompanist, Lorna Ogilvie.   Maureen