October 6th 2006 - Cornwall

For many years one of the highlights of the choir's year has been the annual tour, either in this country or further abroad. Last year it was to Miesbach in Bavaria, in association with Tewkesbury's twinning agreement with the German town. This year the choir stayed closer to home, but enjoyed a busy, but very happy four day visit to Cornwall. The 100-strong party consisted of singers, wives and supporters, Musical Directors, John Blenkinsopp and Ralph Barnes, accompanist Pam Taverner and soprano Sue Black. Staying at the Looe Bay Holiday Park the party were the guests of the Rame Peninsular Male Voice Choir for the Friday October 6th concert in support of Clic Sargent the children's cancer charity. The following day the party travelled to Launceston where the choir sang with the Launceston Male Voice Choir in a concert raising funds for the Heart Attack Rehabilitation Unit at Liskeard Hospital. The latter concert had been at the request of former Churchdown Choir member, Chris Hitchens, who has re-located to Devon and now sings with the Launceston choir.

Sue Black was the undoubted star of the concert with her performance of Pie Jesu, from Faure's Requiem and the Allelujah, from Mozart's Exultate, jubilate. Ralph Barnes drew special praise from the host choir's chairman for his sensitive interpretation of Speed Your Journey, one of the 4 songs that the two choirs sang together. Ralph also conducted the Churchdown Choir in a lively performance of Back to the 60s, a medley of songs from that era, which had the packed audience spontaneously clapping along with the final song in the medley, Da Doo Ron Ron.

The party also took advantage of the fine weather to enjoy a boat trip on Plymouth sound, and visits to Exeter Cathedral, to Bodmin and Looe.

Latest tour report: 2008 Choir Tour: Harrogate

From the archives: 2007 Choir Tour: Miesbach in Bavaria

From the archives: 2005 Choir Tour: Miesbach in Bavaria