Friday November 25 2005 at the Churchdown Community Centre

To celebrate the Choir's 40th Anniversary in 2005, the Choir planned a number of events. It started on 15 May 2005 when there was a Songs of Praise concert in in St Barnabas Church, Tuffley. In July, the Choir went to Bavaria, Germany to give concerts in and around the Tewkesbury twin town of Miesbach. Have a look at our Tour 2005 page for more information. A formal dinner was held at the Churchdown Community Centre to round off the celebrations.

Churchdown Male Voice Choir rounded off a splendid year with a dinner to celebrate the choir's 40th anniversary at Churchdown Community Centre. Amongst the guests were the Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough, Councillor Paul Ockelton and his wife Angela, and the choir's president, the recently retired Chief Executive of Westbury plc, Martin Donohue and his wife Teresa.

Martin told of his first involvement with the choir when in the 80s, under the then chairmanship of Bill Beamish, the choir had organised a golf day at Lillybrook Golf Club at which over £4,000 was raised. He said he was delighted that Westbury's had been able to sponsor many events in the past few years, the recent one being the 40th anniversary concert at Pittville Pump Room. This concert had been in support of the local charity Carol's Smile and had raised over £2000 for the charity.

In reply to the toast the choir's secretary, Brian Rose, said that the choir was very proud of its association with Martin and Westbury plc and thanked him for the sponsorship we have enjoyed in the past. He also wished to remember the many choir members who were unable to be present on the night and thanked them for their involvement over the years. He though that the choir was in excellent shape, was recruiting some young members and looked forward to many more happy years of singing with Churchdown Male Voice Choir.

The choir's chairman Adrian law said there were just two founder members still with the choir, Mike Smart and Charlie Jones, although Charlie had joined just one week after the founding meeting. Mike Smart was absent but Adrian presented a pair of cuff links to Charlie in recognition of his long service. Adrian also presented a bouquet of flowers to Janet Acton, Chair of the Ladies Committee who had been responsible for organising the caterers and for decorating the tables so beautifully with flowers.