Photos by Colleen Gauntlett Left Click on images to enlarge
The Choir has taken on a sporty theme this year and following its recent participation at the opening T20/20 Bash at the Swalec stadium, we were delighted to be the only Male Voice Choir to entertain the crowds at the British National Road Race Cycling Championships at Abergavenny on June 29th. On a sunny Sunday in which the rain thankfully held off, the choir were entertained by several events including local children and ‘odd’ bicycle designs around Bailey Park. Following on from local heavy metal/Rock bands, Gunpowder Plot, Black Rat Effect and Florence Black and leading on from Pro Tempura, an Abergavenny trio, we took the stage at 3-30pm to immediately precede the start of the Road Race.
Leading off from our new Choir gazebo, erected between the local Radio Sunshine bus and the tented stage, with Shirley Ann James conducting and John Nicholson as accompanist we climbed the steps onto the stage to enthral and entertain the waiting crowds at Bailey Park with rousing Welsh hymns Rachie and O Iesu Mawr. Included in our repertoire were Fields of Athenry, Elvis hits You Were Always on my Mind and American Trilogy, Tom Jones’ Delilah and finally Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau in which the watching crowds enthusiastically joined in (Welsh ones anyway).
Disappointing that Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish didn’t make an appearance but nevertheless congratulations to Peter Kennaugh, beating Sky team mate Ben Swift to take the Men’s National Road Race Title and to Laura Trott for earlier winning the women’s equivalent.
At the end of a long day, many members of the choir made their way to the nearby Bailey Arms to imbibe in light refreshments and another bit of a sing song to the locals before making their way home to Caldicot.
Our next sporting event is at David Broome’s Equestrian Event Centre in Crick on 28th July. You’re not allowed to jump the fences, lads.