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What's to come!

2008
Bristol Fashion Quiz Night    Friday 18 July, Long Ashton
Sing out for Masonic Garden Party, Alveston   Sat 2 August
Sing out at Publow Church Garden Fete  Sunday 10 August
Sing out - Bradford-on-Avon Lions Club Sunday 14 September
Fashion Show  Ashton Park School  Tuesday 16 September
LABBS Convention, Harrogate  31 October - 2 November
Sing out for Keynsham Masonic Lodge  Monday 8 December
Sing out at Chestnut Close sheltered accommodation, Stockwood, Sunday 14 December
Our Christmas party  Thursday 18 December   Long Ashton.

200
Sing out at St Monica's Trust   Mon 12 January   Westbury-on-Trym
 

Past events 2008
Bournemouth Festival  28 June    We entered this competition for the first time this year and had a great day out!  We were thrilled to be placed second, with Distinction.
LABBS Regional Prelims   Ashton Park School, 19 April
 WOW!!   We came second and now look forward to Convention. 
 

Past events 2007
For photos of some of the events, visit the Photo Gallery.   
Christmas service at URC, Bedminster  23 December   We were pleased that members of the chorus were able to join in the service at the church where we hold our rehearsals.
Sing out at John Lewis, Cribbs Causeway  22 December   We sang during the afternoon for Christmas shoppers, many of whom stopped to listen to us.   Some of the staff even joined us for one rendition of Jingle Bells!   It was a fun Sing out and we all enjoyed it. 
Sing out at sheltered accommodation in Portishead 
11 December.    
This event was a complete contrast to our Concert the previous Saturday. 
A small group from the Chorus entertained the residents in their lounge.   We sang most of our repertoire and also did some Christmas poems, with a break in the middle for a welcome cup of tea and mince pie.   The audience were really lovely and said we had 'made their Christmas'. 
Our Concert   8 December  at Clevedon Community Centre. 
WOW - what a super evening!!   The atmosphere was really buzzing as we sang to a wonderfully responsive audience in the packed hall.  We were pleased to have Weston Brass as our guests at this event.  They performed a selection of music in each half of the programme and also played for our Carol Sing-a-long.   The afterglow in the bar was excellent too!
Sing out for Westleaze W I  Long Ashton   5 December   
 We provided the entertainment for the W I's Christmas meeting, singing both repertoire and Christmas songs. The evening was great fun and afterwards we enjoyed delicious mulled wine and mince pies with the members. 
LABBS Convention  26 - 28 October in Bournemouth     We were all able to enjoy a great weekend, without the pressure of competing this year.  It was interesting to be be able to see the whole competition and we hope our own performance will improve from watching and listening.  Some wonderful pink outfits were worn, a lot of food and drink was consumed, and we sang our hearts out till the wee small hours!
30th Anniversary Party  22 September at Ashton Park School   This was a great evening of fun and music, good food and good company.  We were so pleased that many of our former members were able to join us to help celebrate our birthday.  We were also delighted that LABBS Bronze medal winning quartet 'Noteorious' were able to come - they entertained us magnificently!  Our own local 'Great Western Chorus'  (who are the current BABS Bronze medal winners) sang for us, and later in the evening, 'H Club'  (a small group from GWC) did another spot.   A splendid cake had been made by Brenda, which was cut by our two youngest members, Camella and Sophie.   The grand finale of the evening was a mass sing, with members from Avonbelles, GWC and former Bristol Fashion members joining us for two 8 part harmony songs and then of course 'Let's get together again'.
Wedding  Saturday 1 September  We were delighted to sing at Gwyn and Colette's wedding.  Gwyn's mum Brenda sings with our chorus and she stepped up to join us in the choir stalls for 'Zip-a-dee Doo-dah' during the signing of the register!  

We all posed with the bride and groom for photos after the wedding.   Brenda looked extremely elegant!

Wedding  Saturday 18 August   What a happy occasion!   It was a privilege to share James and Tanya's special day.  We sang The Lord's Prayer, Heart of my Heart (during the signing of the Register) and then Irish Blessing at the start of the recessional.  We had a marvellous view of the whole proceedings from where we were sitting and fortunately our choice of dress fitted perfectly with the wedding colour scheme! 

Sing out at Publow Church Garden fete   Sunday 12 August   We had a good time at our annual visit to Publow and once again the sun shone.  The church was full for our performance and the audience very appreciative.  We all enjoyed the cream tea and sampling the various stalls afterwards too. 
Three Chorus 'Get together'   21 June   What a super evening we had at Rangeworthy Village Hall with the other local choruses - Fascinating Rhythm and the Avonbelles!   Each chorus sang two songs on their own and we joined together to sing more songs that we all know, including one learnt specially for the occasion - 'That's what friends are for'.    An American supper and other impromptu entertainment made it an evening to remember.  We hope to repeat this event in the future.
Sing out for Weston Retired Caravanners Club  17 June   We were invited once again to provide the Sunday evening entertainment.  This year we included a 'Singalong' section of Al Jolson songs which was much enjoyed.
Julie's 40th party    10 June   Members of the chorus joined Julie's family and friends for a 'Singalong-a-Sound of Music' followed by a picnic at Clevedon's Salthouse fields.  A good time was had by all, with some inventive costumes! 
Funday Sunday training day at Taunton  22 April  A group from the chorus attended this event organised by LABBS, with coaching from two delightful and knowledgeable American barbershop ladies. 
Harmony College 2007  13 - 15 April  Loughborough University  Eleven adult members attended this training weekend organised by LABBS.  We also took our two younger members - Camella and Sophie - who have both joined the LABBS Youth Chorus - The Ivy League.   We were inspired by the high standard of teaching and learned a lot,  We also laughed a lot and ate (and drank) a lot.  The weekend ended in a performance of the songs the choruses had been working on over the three days.  'Linger Awhile' was beautifully sung and 'Burlington Bertie' was a revelation with the girls in full costume and free choreography by Delyth Knight.   The Ivy League gave their first public performance and were stunning.  We look forward to hearing them at Convention in November. 
Sing out at Memories of Bedminster Social Club  5 March   An afternoon Singout by a small group from the chorus was enormously enjoyed by the audience, especially the 'audience participation' section!
Coaching workshop weekend  3 - 4 March    We were delighted to welcome Sandra Landey, Sheila Rice and David Morehen to coach us for a whole weekend.  These very experienced barbershoppers gave generously of their time and skills to show us ways of improving our performance.  The weekend was organised by Jenny W and Mary C who put a lot of thought into the planning.  They were rewarded by an excellent attendance from the chorus and very positive feedback from all members. 
Table-top sale  17 February   organised by Shirley and Brenda D.  A fun and successful day, raising £355 for Chorus funds

2006
Sing out at John Lewis, Cribb's Causeway  23 December   We provided the musical background for all four of the staff lunch breaks, singing mostly Christmas songs.  By the end of the last session we were just about out of Jingle Bells, but we were well looked after and enjoyed the sandwiches and fruit provided by our hosts. 
Sing out at Keynsham Masonic Lodge  19 December  Another successful Sing out, enjoyed by audience and chorus. 
Christmas service at URC  17 December   Members of the chorus attended the Sunday morning service at the church where we hold our rehearsals.  Once again our singing was much appreciated by the congregation.  
Christmas Party   14 December   Another great evening at the Pavilion, Long Ashton.  This year we enjoyed a catered buffet meal, which meant a lot less work!  Home-made entertainment again proved most enjoyable, with Jenny giving her rendition of 'The Tea Lady', Janis and Julie providing of foretaste of what we can expect from them as new Wardrobe mistresses, and a scratch quartet trying to 'Solve the Problems of the Chorus'.
Sing out at Centre Parcs, Longleat  13 December  A Singout with a difference!    We sang for two sessions outside one of the restaurants, competing with the general background noise and being careful not to fall in the pond as it was rather dark!  The younger members of the audience particularly enjoyed our performance, especially as we gave an impromptu rendition of 'Old MacDonald had a farm' (not in four part harmony) at their request!!
Sing out at Chestnut Close sheltered accommodation   3 December  We gave our Christmas songs their first outing of the season to an appreciative audience in their beautifully decorated lounge.
LABBS Convention at Harrogate  10 - 12 November  We all enjoyed the weekend and the experience of taking part in the main ladies' barbershop event of the year.   The fun and friendship of the weekend are hard to beat.  We didn't do too well in the competition, having left our best performance in the warm-up room, but are determined to improve next time. 
'Posh Frocks' evening  29 September   A very successful fund-raising evening, organised by Shirley, with sale of surplus stock of evening dresses and accessories.  Members of the chorus modelled some of the fashions and we raised a good sum towards new stage costumes. 
Sing out at the Clevedon Festival   16 September  Not the easiest of venues, as singing out of doors is always tricky, but we put on a good show which was appreciated by the audience and various passers-by. 
Garden Party   20 July,  held at Sara's.  An informal evening of fun and games, with an American Supper.  We ended up playing charades (almost in the dark!) and singing for the neighbours!!
Llangollen International Eisteddfod    8 July   We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend away, taking part in the 60th anniversary Eisteddfod.  It was a great thrill to perform on the flower-filled main stage and also on the informal outdoor stage.  We sampled all the other events on offer too, including delicious Welsh Cakes from one of the stalls!
Sing out at Publow Church Garden fete   Sunday 2 July   Once again, the weather was perfect for this delightful event.   We always enjoy singing in the beautiful church and the cream teas are delicious!
Sing out for Weston Retired Caravanners Club  18 June   A repeat visit, providing the Sunday evening entertainment for a good audience. 
Sing out for Matthew Masonic Lodge  3 June  We provided the 'after lunch' entertainment which was enjoyed by all. 
Sing out for Downend Masonic Lodge  13 May   Our latest song 'It's Raining Men' had its first airing, requested by the audience!  Not a bad performance, considering we've only just learnt it!
Sing out for Downend Probus Club  5 May   Another successful Sing out, enjoyed by audience and chorus.
Sing out at Chestnut Close sheltered accommodation  23 April   A very appreciative audience enjoyed our performance of 'golden oldies' and some more modern songs too. 
Easter Sunday service at URC  16 April    It was good to be able to support the church where we hold our rehearsals, and our singing is always much appreciated by the congregation.
LABBS Prelims  8 April  We went to Aston University for this event and managed to qualify for Convention in November. 
Sing out for Destination Bristol   26 February   We all enjoyed singing at a reception at the Marriott Hotel, for travel agents from the USA, held to promote Bristol as a tourist destination.  Some of them even joined in with 'Georgia'!
Fund Raising events  A Jumble/Table top sale on 21 January and a Jazz evening on 17 February, raised over £500 for the Chorus.   Well done Shirley and Brenda D.!

2005
Sing out at the Galleries   18 December  We were invited to sing a couple of sessions in this busy shopping centre in aid of Cancer Research.   Although we were competing with the background noise, our carols and other songs went down well, and the buckets slowly filled up with cash.  
Christmas Party   15 December  We had a super 'do' at the Pavilion, Long Ashton, enjoyed by 50 members and guests.  Both food and entertainment were 'home-made' and excellent. 
Sing out at Hambrook Masonic Widows lunch  27 November  Another good Sing out much enjoyed by the audience.

Our Concert   19 November 2005  This was a great success!  We were pleased to welcome guest artists Mike Purnell and Maureen, The Backwell Trio and the St Andrew's Backwell Junior Choir.  An enthusiastic audience enjoyed the Show at Nailsea Methodist Church, expertly compered by Kate Tivney.   A bucket collection in aid of Children's Hospice South West raised a marvellous £500.  CHSW is our Chairlady's Charity for 2005 and the Chorus will be making a further donation at the end of the year. 

Quiz Night  14 October   A most enjoyable evening held at the British Legion, Long Ashton, when we raised £100 towards Chorus Funds. 
Harmony College 2005     Eight of our newer members attended a weekend training in Barbershop singing at Harmony College at Loughborough University, from 15 - 17 July.  This event was organised by LABBS, and there were over 200 Barbershoppers there, from all over the country.  We all learnt a lot from the high standard of coaching over the weekend.  We also laughed a lot, ate (and drank) a lot and generally had a great weekend!  We look forward to going again in 2007.
Llangollen International Eisteddfod     We were delighted that we were able to go to this prestigious competition on Saturday 9 July. We had a marvellous weekend, experiencing the atmosphere of this truly international event and all felt it was a real privilege to take part.  We came 5th in the Competition, and then enjoyed the rest of the day, including an informal singing session on the outdoor stage. 

Sing out at Publow Church Garden fete,  3 July   The Chorus was invited for the third year running to sing at Publow Fete.  Once again the sun shone!  This is one of our favourite Sing outs - we sang for about half an hour in the beautiful church, and also enjoyed wandering round the beautiful garden and sampling the fete stalls. 

Songs,Smiles and 'Sinatra'    On Saturday 27 November 2004 we hosted our own show in Nailsea Methodist Church in aid of the Chairman's Charity, The Babe Appeal. This fund raising is for the building of a new Children's Hospice in Wraxall near Bristol, to provide family accommodation for terminally ill children and their families to spend valuable time together.

We gathered together with our friends 'Havoc' - current IABS International Ladies Gold Medal  Quartet, an a capella group from Clifton College, and our own Chorus Director Colin accompanied by good friend Tony Ogden who performed a selection of Sinatra songs. The whole was MC'd by Bette French who interspersed the evening with her own brand of humour and anecdotes.

We were delighted to see a 'full house' and at the end of the evening were proud to learn we had raised over £1400 for the appeal.  Our grateful thanks go particularly to Radio Bristol for their support, encouragement and assistance in helping us to publicise the show.  

 

Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2004     We were fortunate to be included in the BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year Contest held in Cardiff.  In the tradition of  'It's not the winning - it's the taking part'  these occasions are always a wonderful experience and a great opportunity to share our particular brand of singing with a wider audience. We also see how other choirs and choruses differ from us and take on board all the information and expertise the highly experienced judges have to offer.