Photos and report by Lyn Gauntlett. Left click on each image to enlarge
No, the title doesn’t mean the sandwiches are stale, it means that on Friday evening 21st April, the Choir Hall was turned once again, from a music venue into a representation of Newmarket and Ascot together with a mixture of ten flat and steeplechase races each with ten horses.
Bets were placed by about 200 punters and the outcomes, winners and losers were played out on the silver screen by a random race generator to an enthusiastic and excited audience.
Never mind that this was computer generated – this was REAL to everyone there. Each race being looked at with anticipation as bets were placed with John, Roger, Shirley Ann and Siân, Tellers for the night. Each race started with ‘they’re off’ and as the finishing line was approached, the cheering and shouts of ‘C’mon’ were as loud as any to be heard at Chepstow! So were the OOOHs of disappointment as a horse fell at the last fence or was pipped at the post in the dying seconds. Many horses were purchased by choristers and supporters to add to the funds (and the fun) and Race sponsors contributed a huge amount to each race.
Copious and very welcome buffet refreshments were available to all during a break in the proceedings, courtesy of our many choir supporters. You did us proud and we’re really grateful.
The whole event was organised by chorister Ron Powell including persuading many sponsors to support us (a full list is above and on the race card), major sponsors being Steve Cochrane of B.M. Logic and Road Chef at Magor Services. We all know Ron has worked incredibly hard and given up a huge amount of his time over the past few months to get this together. Thank you one and all for your help.
In addition, many raffle prizes were donated (see full list above) ranging from Sunday lunches at the St Pierre, Millenium Stadium Tour tickets, Comedy Tickets at the Glee Club Cardiff, £50 Fashion Vouchers, Golf days, Leisure Centre free entries – a total of 28 magnificent prizes in all.
The Race Nights, formerly organised by President Richard Evans for 18 consecutive years have raised over £110,000 for the choir. This has helped enormously to bring our fabulous music to the public and in so doing raise many more hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and good causes. A great big THANK YOU to everyone involved in what has proved, once again to be a massively memorable night! Special thanks must go to the Tellers and especially the bar staff of Dave Kirton, Wyn Goodwin, Roger Francis and Graham Hughes for their hard work behind the bar and to everyone who helped clean up and get the hall ready for practice on Monday. (Apologies if I’ve missed anyone out, but if I have I’m sure someone will let me know).
Events such as these at our choir hall not only enriches the social side of the choir but brings added interest to the local community by sharing in our incredible facilities.
Our next big event is our Annual Concert at the Leisure Centre on April 12th where we will be doing what we’re best at by presenting a musical extravaganza of Welsh Male Voice singing at its best. Be sure to be there.