On the 18th October over 40 choristers crossed the Chepstow bridge over the River Wye and followed the meandering A48 alongside the Severn Estuary to the picturesque small town of Westbury-on-Severn, nestling on the banks of the River Severn and famous for its views of the unique, world-famous Severn Bore.
The coach was skilfully driven down a dark, narrow lane to the Community Centre where we alighted to be received by an appreciative party of over 100 guests for whom we were invited to perform as part of the celebrations of the 70th birthday of Mrs Di Cooke which was originally marked on 10th October.
The party revellers, sitting in a balloon festooned hall and seated at tables laden with plentiful supplies of party food and drink, put down their drinks to listen spellbound to our first half renderings, conducted by Siân Hatton and accompanied by Stephen Berry and John Nicholson, of Llanfair, De Animals a’ Comin’, the Everly Brothers hit, Let it be me, the restful An Evenings Pastorale, rousing American Trilogy and finally to end the first part, Somewhere Out There from the film ‘An American Tail’.
To loud, rapturous applause, the choir retired to the bar for suitable thirst quenching, light refreshment before returning to the party room, to further introductory applause, to commence the second half with Yfory, Eli Jenkins Prayer, specially requested by Mrs Cooke, May You Always Have a Song, Gwahoddiad (another special request) and finally Rachie. The Choir was specially pleased with the attention and appreciation that the audience gave us and we were thrilled to be part of Mrs Cooke’s special occasion.
The Choir then returned to the bar for splendid refreshments supplied by the host (how did she know we all liked cheese? Good choice!) and further entertained party goers with more ‘Afterglow songs’. Karl Gregory, as ususal rounded off the evening with his special version of ‘When the coal comes down the Rhondda’ and ‘Bobbing up and Down Like This’ while precariously balancing a pint of beer on his head. At midnight, with requests to come and sing for them again, we left the party-goers to return to the bus and make the short journey back down the Severn to home.