Royal Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Male Voice Choir Contínuíng the story of the Orpheus from 2000 to 2003 August 2000 The AGM was held on September 12th 2000 at the Swan Hotel, Tunbridge Wells when the following officers were elected. Hon Secretary Geoff Fisher Hon Treasurer Frank Monckton Richard Armstrong Musical Director Graham Dibbens Deputy MD and Accompanist Elsie Jennings. Membera Paul Murrells Bill Downs One place unfilled Ray Hoff, Peter Parfitt and lain Hamilton stood down from the committee and their services to the choir were recognised with life membership certificates. Neil Herbert Smith also stood down from the committee due to work commitments. Appreciation was expressed. They all remain in the choir. Season August 2000 to July 2001. August 25'" 2000 Concert at Rochester Cathedral as part of the Flower Festival September 9th and 10th 2000. On Saturday 9th and Sunday 10* the choir had a display in the Hawkenbury Allotments Holders Association marquee to promote the choir's activities and to recruit new members. This annual event provides an excellent oppodunity to be on show and give public awareness of the choir. It is low key and allows time to chat with people as they walk around the show and has been the means of new members joining the choir. On the Sunday evening, as the custom has developed, the choir performs at the evening concert. While this is another good opportunity for the choir to be part of a big local event its disadvantage is that it follows the closing of the main show. However a reasonable number of people attend, making it worthwhile. October 21" 2000 Concert This concert was arranged as a joint programme with the Swift Singers, a ladies choir from Essex. November 25'" 2000 Concert at St Mary's Church Ashford in aid of Ashford Hospice Appeal. December 5 2000 the annual visit to Fenwick's Store in Tunbridge Wells to sing carols to their special evening for customers. December 9th 2000 to take part in the 'Festival of Music'. An event arranged by the Tunbridge Wells Lions at the Assembly Halls involving several local choirs. December 14* 2000 singing carols at an unusual event held in Greyhound Pub in Tunbridge Wells to support local charities December 21" 2000 a Christmas Concert held at Christ Church Tunbridge Wells with the Royal British Legion. December 30* 2000 the choir took part in the Tunbridge Wells Winter Street Festival. We looked on this event as a "thank you" occasion to the Borough Council for the financial help they give us. The event was part of the T.W Millennium Project. February 24 2001 Conced at and in aid of funds at St Peter's Church South borough. March 17" 2001 Concert at Petersfield Methodist Church in aid of the Ashley Homes Residential Home. April 7* 2001 Concert at Swanley School in aid of Swanley Volunteer Bureau. May 19th 2001 the ABC Concert The annual choir and band concert at the Assembly Hall Tunbridge Wells raising funds for the choir and the Kent Air Ambulance. June 16"' 2001 Concert at Goudhurst Church with the Trevieren Singers from Belgium
The August 2001 The AGM took place at St Peter's Church Tunbridge Wells on September 13th 2001 when the following officers were elected. Hon Sec Geoff Fisher Hon Treasurer Frank Monckton Dennis Turner Musical Director Graham Dibbens Deputy MD and Accompanist Elsie Jennings Members Bill Downs One place unfilled Richard Armstrong stood down from the committee due to his move to Boumemouth. Paul Murrells stood down due to work commitments and Bill Brown due to ill health. AII were thanked for their loyal support. Paul and Bill remained choir membets but sadly Bill died later in the year, During the year Lord Kingsdown retired from his role as choir patron. A letter of thanks and appreciation was sent to him. The new Patron is Allen Willett C.M.G., the new Lord Lieutenant of Kent. We are grateful to Stanley Blow DL for making this appointment possible. On July 9th the chairman and his wife (Glen and Doreen Goodall) were privileged to represent the choir at the Queen's Jubilee Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Season August 2001 to July 2002 September 8'" 2001 the promotional stall at the Hawkenbury Allotment Holders Association September 9th Evening Concert at the HAHA Show in aid of local charities. October 20 " 2001 The choir joined in the Canterbury Festival, being part of the massed choir made up of 5 male voice choirs from Kent. The concert was held in the Saga Pavilion, Folkestone in aid of Demelza Children's Hospice. November 17 " 2001 Concert at St Mary's Church Platt for their church funds. December 2nd 2001 Joint Choir Concert at South Woodhams Ferrers Essex with Swift Singers in aid of local charities. December 4* 2001 Carol singing at Fenwick's Department Store. December 20 2001 Christmas Concert at Christ Church Tunbridge Wells for the Royal British Legion an annual event. April 13* 2001 Concert at Maidstone UR Church in aid of Church funds May 18t" 2001 the ABC Concert. annual event with the Military Band. This year we also included the Cantores Singers from Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls. For a second year we linked with the Kent Air Ambulance to share in the benefits. July 27'" 2001 Concert at Ashford as part of their Summer Festival.
August 2002 The AGM took place at St Peter's Church Bayhall Road Tunbridge Wells on Thursday 19' September 2002 when the following officers were elected Hon Sec and Deputy Chair Geoff Fisher r. Hon Treasurer Frank Monckton i «Musical Director Graham Dibbens Deputy MD and Accompanist Elsie Jennings Dennis Tumer ' Members Derek Holmes Two places unfilled The choir membemhip remains between 36 and 40. The committee are planning a recruitment drive, aiming to bring new singers into the choir. Season August 2002 to July 2003. September 86" and 9'" 2002 saw the choir at the annual Hawkenbury Allotments Holders Association Show where we were able to have a stall in the main marquee to promote the choir, and then, as in previous years, sing at the closing evening concert on the Sunday. This event gives an opportunity to be on show locally and share in the efforts to raise funds for seven local charities. September 15* 2002 the choir took part in a special event 'Beating the Retreat' organised by the Royal Tunbridge Wells British Legion as part of the Jubilee celebrations in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of Kent. December 3" 2002 Carol singing in Fenwick Department Store as part of their special evening for their customers. December 7 2002 Carol Concert at Wateringbury in aid of Wateringbury Church funds. December 18* 2002 An unusal event when the choir were invited to sing carols in the Whiehouse Audi Car Showroom Aylesford in aid of Kent Air Ambulance. This was a special evening when customers were invited December 19tn 2002 Carol Concert at Christ Church Tunbridge Wells as part of the TW British Legion event where they meet with all their helpers and supportels who have collected for them over the year. The evening is low key. They have their meeting, some mulled wine, mince pies and then the concert. This is a pleasant annual event. March 8 2003 Concert at Swanley Secondary School in aid of Swanley Volunteer Bureau. March 22" The choir were invited to take part in the Mayor's Command Performance at the Assembly Hall sharing the stage with several local performers. It was for the benefit of the Mayor's charities. April 5* 2003 Concert at the Stag Plaza Suite in Sevenoaks in aid of SANTA. (Sevenoaks Area National Trust Association) April 19* 2003 The choir were invited to sing at private function as part of the after dinner entertainment in East Grinstead May 17m 2003 ABC Concert at the Assembly Hall Tunbridge Wells. The Royal Army Medical Corps Band retumed after being so well received in previous years. The Cantores Singers from Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls returned for the second year.
August 2003 The AGM took place in September at St Peter's Church Bayhall Road Tunbridge Wells. Glen Goodall stood down as following heart surgery, but remained a member of the choir. Help!!! They've voted me in as the new chairman.