All the members and friends of Caldicot Male Voice Choir joined together in his rare absence at practice on Monday to congratulate and wish long serving chorister Bill Nash a very happy 90th Birthday on Wednesday 9th January. Born at a time of economic depression and general strikes, Bill hails from Llanharan, saw wartime service in the RAF and after singing in other South Wales choirs including Tonyrefail, joined us in 1970, the same year as relative youngsters Tommy Hole and Vince Lewis. At that time many of the current choir were still in short trousers with alto and soprano voices – wonder who they are? Now in the 2nd basses, Bill started his singing in choirs over 50 years ago as a tenor and has sung in every section of the choir in that time!
Bill continues to be a stalwart amongst us and although he has lived in Bristol for many years, is still a very active chorister and enjoys every minute. He makes the twice weekly trip over the Severn Bridge to join us at most practices and appears at as many concerts as he can. Always ready to reminisce, with a helpful comment or witicism from the front row, he brings an unbounded wealth of experience and knowledge which he is only too happy to pass on. If evidence is needed that singing can make you healthier and help you to live longer, then Bill is a perfect example.
We all trust that you had a very happy birthday, Bill and may you have many, many more. Thank you for being the wonderful, dedicated chorister, proud Welshman and decent bloke that you are.
Llongyfarchiadau ac Penblwydd hapus iawn i chi
Footnote:
Bill turned up at an empty Choir Hall on Thursday, forgetting that we had a concert in the Methodist Church, but to a round of applause, accompanied by his wife, he skipped into practice on the following Monday sporting his silver, sparkling, celebratory 90th birthday hat. Well done , Bill. We all took the opportunity to congratulate him on his longevity and to sing ‘Happy Birthday’. It wasn’t long before he chirped up ‘Shouldn’t that note in bar 32 be a sharp, Siân? I think some of us are a bit flat?’ He was right as always!
Baby boomer 2nd tenor Mike Thurman shares the same birthday but he’s a comparative toddler at only 65 on Wednesday. Top tenor Jack Virgo is racing to catch up with Bill being only 88 years young.