It was with great shock and sadness that Caldicot Male Voice Choristers received the news from Musical Director Siȃn Hatton that her husband, long serving Baritone chorister of 57 years, David Gould (Dai) had lost his year-long brave fight against cancer and sadly passed away peacefully on Friday 20th March.
There are no adequate words to describe the contribution that dedicated, fun loving Dai made, not only to Caldicot Male Voice Choir but to the Caldicot and Tredegar communities.
Dai had a phenomenal memory. He could recall almost every concert he sang in, particularly on tours to the USA, Canada and Europe; on P & O Cruise ships; at the Royal Albert Hall and Buckingham Palace and in competitions. He was keen to reflect on these to new members of the choir at any opportunity. In addition Dai was always keen to introduce and support new choristers into the choir during their first few months. A service greatly appreciated by all.
Dai had a fine, clear singing voice often remarked upon by visiting choristers and sang, often alongside Siȃn in pieces such as ‘Ride the Chariot’ and also ‘Calon Lȃn’. He can be heard as the soloist singing ‘I’s Weary of Waiting’ recorded on the Dream Alive album in 1998.
Dai had a wonderful, dry sense of humour ranging from his alarming, false trip ups as he walked across the choir hall floor, his teeth chattering interruptions of Siȃn’s instructions, to his recent appearances in Christmas pantomimes, most recently ‘Captain Pugwash’. Who can forget his reading of the news highlighting individual choristers at social events and the extremely funny performances with Siȃn of the parody of J. Milton Hayes’ poem ‘The Green Eye of the Little Yellow God’ in which he played, to hilarious effect, Mad Carew while Siȃn supported as the Colonel’s Daughter?
Possibly Dai will be most remembered as he energetically, expertly and amusingly conducted and led many Afterglows following concerts; his recent favourite being ‘Down Among the Deadmen’. He will be a hard act to follow.
His dedication and sense of humour may perhaps best be demonstrated by his parting whispers to Assistant Musical Director, Shirley Anne James as he appealed ‘Just one more, Shirl’ as the choristers departed at the end of practice.
We only wish that could be so once again. Conducted by Shirley Anne James, the Choir movingly and emotionally sang, as is traditional, the Hymn ‘Gwahoddiad’ at practice on Monday 23rd March.
Dai was a keen golfer and organised many fund raising golfing events for the choir to support local and National Charities. He also keenly supported the choir’s associated cycling and walking club in its fund raising events as well. In all these events and activities, Siȃn and Dai worked and supported as a team. Totally dedicated to one another and an example to us all.
Dai’s interests not only included the Choir, to which he was totally dedicated but he loved working on his allotment and tending to his beloved chickens. He would often proudly bring along to practice the fruits of his allotment labours for choristers to enjoy along with fresh eggs from his chickens.
Until recently and well into his seventies, he would voluntarily travel each year to sanctuaries in Africa to help in the fight against the slaughter of Rhino’s by poachers for their horns. He also travelled to North America to assist in archaeological explorations of Native American sites and also courageously to tributaries of the Amazon River in South America. Tenerife was not for Dai!
Dai’s historical writings and anecdotes from the early days of the choir are included in the articles, ‘Dai was There‘ are on the choir’s web site www.caldicotmalevoicechoir.co.uk . Just search for Dai in the Search box on the front page.
There is no doubt that Dai is irreplaceable in the choir and will be sorely missed as a model of what a chorister should be. There is no one who could possibly replace him in his chair at practice. His memory will surely live for many, many years as a wonderful man who lived life to the full and entered the lives of so many with joy.
A tragic loss which leaves a huge gap in the lives of those all who knew him but Rest in Peace, Gorffwysedd Mewn Hedd, dear friend. It has been a privilege to have known you. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Siȃn and all Dai’s family at this very sad time.