Off they went! Horses, I mean. About 200 punters arrived on a stormy, wet and windy night to enjoy indoor horse racing at its best. The Race Night is probably one of the most popular social events of the Choir’s calendar and this year was no exception. This year’s event was organised and compered by Ron Powell for the first time following the retirement of Richard Evans after 18 years of doing a splendid job. Richard, in his own way still couldn’t keep away and did a marvellous job helping out where needed.
Dozens queued up to place their bets and even fewer, delirious racegoers went to collect their winnings and no-one lost their shirt but no-one left a millionaire either! The bank wasn’t broken but all profits go to support the choir so nobody really lost. Thanks to Davina for counting the cash! It’s hard to believe the realism as cheers went up and voices resounded with ”C’mon Number 4, Hurry up number 6, Yeeees, we’ve won!” but more often “Ooooh, we’ve lost again!”. Heads down and concentrate between races to study form as if it was for real! Off to the bar for a welcome pint! Drown the sorrows or celebrate the winning of 50 pence as if it was 50 pounds! Gamblers Anonymous remained incognito and weren’t needed on the night.
Table by table left to the back room to more tables bulging with copious amounts of food at the interval while the raffle was conducted by Ron, Richard and Matt. Prizes were the best ever this year and are detailed in the previous post on the race night. Many thanks to all those who contributed wonderful prizes and to all those who bought tickets. Congratulations to the winners except those who got Dai’s unwanted aftershave. Why does this turn up year after year? Splash it all over!
Two fabulous new features were included this year. One was a a ‘Sports tombola’ in which the incredible prizes included a signed Wales squad photograph, a rugby ball signed by the 2007 Wales Rugby World Cup squad and a shirt from the Ospreys (who incidentally beat the Newport Gwent Dragons 52 -19 earlier in the day, but never mind), a Wales soccer legend Gareth Bale signed photo, a signed shirt and basketball from the British Wheelchair Basketball team and 2 hospitality tickets to the Bristol Rovers – Wimbledon soccer match. Secondly, an Olympic torch carried by Rick Evans, former Fire station manager at Caldicot on one of the Monmouthshire legs prior to the 2012 London Olympics was on display and there was an opportunity to have photographs taken while holding it.
More racing followed, more cheers and groans went up, more money was lost and won and many more opportunities to refresh hoarse (forgive the pun) throats were taken until the late hours of a wet Friday night. No horses were injured or ill treated during this event. More photos and comments on Facebook – click on the link above.
Everyone left to face the wintry elements outside but cheered by the fact that, win or lose they had a really fabulous night. Many thanks to Ron Powell for a tremendous amount of work, blood, sweat and tears to make this another special event in our 50th Anniversary Year and we must not forget all the sponsors, raffle ticket buyers, tellers, projectionists, the bar staff of not least Dai, Wyn, Roger, Kevin, Ann, Theo and Gareth with more helpers and choristers who set up and cleaned the hall afterwards on Saturday.
One of the great features of this choir is its endeavour to provide its members, supporters and people of Caldicot with active and enjoyable social functions as well as giving wonderful male voice choir singing and all expectations were well and truly met on the Race Night. We hope you will all support the choir by coming to the 50th Annual Concert on 13th April at the Leisure Centre. It will be a wonderful and spectacular occasion. Don’t forget the Open Evening on 4th April 7-00pm in support of the Victims of Chernobyl Children’s Fund as well!