Category: News

Whilst we are all feeling somewhat constrained, controlled and cautious in these unprecedented times the members of our choir would like to pay their respects to two of our former choir members who recently passed away.

Denis Hales was a choir member for approaching 15 years. As a member of our Bass section and an active member of our committee with his wife Jean (who was choir secretary for 12 years from 2002) he derived great pleasure from singing and the camaraderie within the choir. Denis was employed by Mansfield Brewery and was a lifelong fan of Elvis Presley. Jean and Denis have three children, had travelled extensively in the UK and were also active members of the Old Mansfield Woodhouse Society.

Denis had suffered ill health over the last few years and died following short stay in hospital aged 79. The choir is grateful for his effort and contributions and wish Jean and family well.

Paddy Crabtree loomed large in our choir, as the younger brother of Roy Crabtree (1^st Tenor) who introduced him to the choir, Paddy joined our Bass section and immediately made his presence felt. As a proud Irish

man, with a deep resonant voice coupled with unswerving dedication, integrity and the ability to get on with everyone Paddy was very popular, particularly as our choir marshal for few years.

Paddy had a long and glittering military choir in which he served in senior roles in Northern Ireland and other high profile roles (he said he would have to kill us if he disclosed the details) although I do know that he was in charge of the arrangements for Queen’s Birthday parade in Berlin sitting next to Princess Anne during the ceremony. His Sergeant Major style and approach brought our choir to the highest levels of discipline, decorum and stage presence we ever possessed.

Paddy and Brenda moved to Glasgow only within the last 3 years but unfortunately Paddy suffered a great deal with complicated illness having a six month stay in hospital only

just over a year ago. His resilience was remarkable, but Paddy succumbed recently to a spell of pneumonia. Always a keen follower of our choir Paddy made a real difference, commanded respect and shall missed by all who knew him

2019 will be remembered fondly by many as a year of celebration and pride as the Choir celebrated its 75th Anniversary with such style and energy.

It’s fair to say that 2020 is turning out to be a year of unparalleled difficulty as the Choir, along with all Choirs across the world, has been stopped in its tracks by a vicious disease and a global pandemic. We hope that you and your families are keeping safe and healthy in these times of crisis.

We hope for better days, as we must, looking forward to next year. Some work is progressing behind the scenes as we put together a programme of events and concerts for 2021.

The next major event on the horizon is on  23 April 2022. We are preparing songs for the  Welsh Association of Male Choirs massed choirs festival at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

On 8 May 2021 we hope to be singing with Sonara Singers at QEA, Mansfield and on 19 June with Basingstoke MVC at St John’s Church, Mansfield.

We are looking forward to singing with our friends and neighbours from Bestwood MVC at St Wilfred’s, Kirkby-in-Ashfield on 10 July 2021.

We then have a break before a trip to Suffolk to sing with St Edmundsbury MVC ( September 25/26th) and then two concerts in October. Firstly a joint concert with Derby Community MVC at URC, Sutton-in Ashfield on the 9th of October before the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Palace Theatre, Mansfield ( date to be confirmed).

In the run up to Christmas 2021 we hope to be singing at St Philip Neri, Mansfield with Mansfield Sings ( 3rd December ) and then the traditional Concert at Forest Town Arena ( 16th December ).

More details of these events will be published as soon as it becomes available.

Forest Town Arena, Mansfield – Saturday 7 March 2020

What a great evening! The Mansfield and District Male Voice Choir Supporters’ Group arranged another fantastic sell out event for the 120 strong attendees to enjoy.

The recent wet weather and cold seemed a distant memory as the live band NiteMayor (Tony Egginton who famously served 13 years as the Independent Mayor of Mansfield is their drummer) delighted us with some fantastic 60s dance music which had folks up and dancing by the second song.

In my experience it can take the shy folks a few more to get the party moving, but no, the chaps as well as the ladies were right into it straight away. This is testament to the band’s ability to ignite a room and Forest Town Arena was pulsating as the band played on.

Interrupted by a fabulous pie and pea supper (cakes as well of course), plenty to drink and the legendary camaraderie that is part of the way we do things in our choir made for a night to remember. We celebrated the 86th birthday of Keith Beastall, one of our second tenors, and his delight at his cake and presentation is plain for all to see. A second birthday for a young chap called Paulo (guest of Geoff Hursthouse in our Baritone section) raised whoops of support from the room. What great advertisement for the age diversity our organisation attracts?

These events absolutely fulfill the objective of our Supporters’ Group which is to extend the sense of belonging to the families of choir members and this is now reaching members of a wider group who actively support the choir.

We are indebted to our ladies, led by Marilyn, not only for their work, care and dedication but also their unstinting efforts is raising funds for the choir. This time the funds raised exceeded any other event at £800, which is marvellous.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Once again we are indebted to our ladies! [/perfectpullquote]

John Wakeland, our choir Chairman, said as much in his heartfelt thanks which closed off another success. Watch out for the next events staged by not the choir and our Supporters’ Group. You won’t find better in Mansfield.
No nightmares here!

Geoff Mansfield