Following the retirement of Richard Evans who served many years as President with distinction since 1991 with a 3 year break from 2015, the Choir was delighted that John Nicholson accepted the honour on 10th of October to take up the role at a short presentation and welcome by Choir Chairman Leon Jones and Musical Director Siȃn Hatton.
In addition to being a member of the Music Team, John also served as chairman of the committee from 2018 to 2003 successfully steering the choir through the difficult times of the Covid pandemic.
John joined the choir in 2001 as a second tenor but after a couple of years, he stood in a few times accompanying practices and played some of the pieces in concerts. In addition to his piano and organ skills he has also over the years arranged several pieces of music often still sung today.
Trained as an engineer, he had a long career with Rolls-Royce, moving from the Midlands to work in Bristol and regularly commuting to Norway! In the Midlands he ran a successful dance band appearing alongside such names as Syd Lawrence, Joe Loss and Roy Castle. Before moving to Caldicot, John also performed with a Folk Trio producing two albums.
There is no doubt that John is dedicated to Caldicot Male Voice Choir and brings valuable skills and experience to the role of President. We all wish him well in this new position and the choir is confident that he will help lead the Choir to new heights in the future.
Richard was first invited to become President of the choir in 1991 and he served with distinction continually until 2015 until family concerns required him to resign. During this period he founded the Vice Presidents and instigated and organised the annual Race Night which together raised over one hundred thousand pounds for the choir. Together with then secretary Islwyn Watkins and Treasurer Mervyn Roberts among others, Richard played a fundamental role in seeing through the building of the magnificent choir hall finalised in 1996. Richard was also the prime organiser of the two P & O cruises undertaken by the choir in 2008 and 2009.
Following the Presidency of Michael Shere-Massey, Richard was again invited to take up the position of President in 2018, which he accepted and helped to see the choir through the difficult years of the Pandemic even though he had moved to Porthcawl with his wife, Norma. He also, in this period kept close relationships with the Vice-presidents.
Reluctantly, due to the ill health Richard retired as President in September 2025. There is no doubt that Richard was an excellent choice as President all those years ago without whom the choir would not be in the secure position it finds itself in today.