Gallery - Bristol Fashion

2021

Due to Covid-19 restrictions we have been unable to hold any in-person events to take photos of for our gallery. Faces on a zoom screen just don’t have the same impact! But you can see a few pictures and read more of what we’ve been up to in our Blog.

2020

August We held two small socially distanced (in bubbles) picnics in Ashton Park – no singing, but great to see actual people again instead of faces on a Zoom screen! We were joined by some potential future members too!!

June There’s still plenty happening in our Bristol Fashion family! Our Zoom rehearsals continue every week, with new content such as Theory of Music sessions, break-out rooms, and A Blast from the Past – enjoying previous performances. And of course lots of singing, including learning a new song which has been specially arranged for us by our MD, Craig. We can’t wait to sing it together! We also have Coffee and Chat sessions, Quiz Nights, and various other competitions, all happening in a virtual world.

To remind us of happier times when we could all meet together, one of our members has put together a compilation of photos, set to music composed by our MD, Craig. Until We Meet Again

April Sadly we are no longer able to hold our regular rehearsals or events due to the lock-down. But our Bristol Fashion family is not cast down! We are ‘virtually’ meeting up every Thursday evening, singing at home and supporting each other through this difficult time.

March Another fabulous weekend of coaching with the amazing Rob Mance.

February We were honoured to be invited to sing at the 5th Anniversary Concert of the Joel Prince Starlight Fund, a beautiful and moving evening at Bath Spa University. Our lovely quartet ‘Sonic’ sang too.

January We started the year with another enjoyable Awards Night Party.

2019

December We were delighted to sing at a lovely Christingle Service, taken by one of our members.

December We sang at Leigh Court for the Great Western Air Ambulance Service – a beautiful and moving occasion.

October – Convention – We were thrilled to be crowned Mid-size Chorus Champions! The celebrations went on for a long time!!

September – An amazing weekend of coaching with the brilliant Rob Mance.

August – We braved the gales to sing to a small but appreciative audience on the bandstand in Keynsham Memorial Park. The rain held off until the very end. Rose, Debbie and Lamorna joined us for their first gig.

August – We were delighted to take part in the Great Brunel Buskathon at John Lewis Cribbs Causeway, raising money for the Southmead Hospital Charity. We were joined by our latest recruit, two-week old Lamorna, whose Mum, Auntie and Grandmother all sing with us. Bristol Fashion is such a great family!

July – A brilliant weekend of singing and performance coaching with Nancy Kelsall and Sandra Lea-Riley. Hard work, but lots of laughter and a relaxing Afterglow at Yvonne and Mike’s on Saturday evening – more singing, food and fun.

Two special occasions: Expectant Mum Lucy was presented with her BF Teddy and gift bag, and three new members passed their auditions!

June – Saturday 15th A great Show with guests the David Salt Big Band. Fun in the pub as usual afterwards!

May

Coaching with Heather Lane – a brilliant day working on one of our new songs for Convention which has been specially arranged for us by Heather.

Another farewell – this time to bass Val, who is retiring after singing with Bristol Fashion for 25 years. But we also welcomed a new member – baritone Suzanne – into the BF family.

April

We said goodbye to baritone Fiona who is moving to Scotland. (She’s promised to come back from time to time!)

We launched our new recruitment campaign ‘ This Mum Sings’ with a lot of coverage on Social Media. The first taster session was on 11th April.

February

We held our AGM and a new Committee was elected. We presented long service certificates to our members who had been in the Chorus from 10 – 40 years. The total number of years was 185!

We were also delighted to welcome Deborah Lamble, Chairman of LABBS, who presented LABBS Long Service certificates and badges to four of our members.

January Oxford Music Festival We were thrilled to gain distinction (and be placed first) in both the classes we entered. Congratulations to Tash on her first competition with Bristol Fashion. As usual, we had fun in the pub afterwards and enjoyed spending time with our friends from Harmony Inspires.

January Awards Night Party A wonderful start to the year with a fun evening celebrating our Award Winners and enjoying entertainment from some great acts.

2018

December – Sing out for Redrow Homes A very relaxed afternoon for our last gig of the year, singing in the lounge of the Show House at a new housing development in Great Oldbury.

December – Joint Show with Bristol A Capella A fantastic evening performing to a packed audience in the beautiful Methodist Church, Whiteladies Road, Bristol. It was great to be able to showcase all the new songs we have learnt this year, and we also enjoyed sharing the stage with our friends in BAC singing ‘Let It Snow’ for the Finale. We certainly know how to ‘Afterglow’ in style too!

November – Nailsea Festival of Music We were delighted with our success, gaining high marks in both classes and winning the overall adult singing category. Our small ensemble – Vintage, and quartet – Obsession also competed and did equally well. More singing and laughter in the pub afterwards!

Big birthdays! We love celebrating – any excuse for cake!!

September – Open Rehearsal Night and Coaching Day with the wonderful Sally McLean

August – Quartet Night A brilliant night where everyone had a go! So much fun and laughter. The winners were presented with medals, tiaras, flowers…

August – Gig at the Royal West of England Academy for Bristol Children’s Hospital. A happy afternoon providing entertainment for visitors to the exhibition.

June – LABBS Education Day, hosted by our friends in Fascinating Rhythm. We learnt the new LABBS Polecat song ‘Anthem’ on a very hot day, but managed to have fun too.

June – A great day out, competing in the Bournemouth Music Festival. We came third in both our classes and gained distinction in both too. No photos were allowed in the theatre, but we had a good time on the coach!

June – Viv decided to retire from Bristol Fashion after 40 years – what commitment! She was deservedly presented with Life Membership in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Chorus.

May – Microfashion sang at a lovely retirement party

April – We had amazing weekend Retreat with the talented Rob Mance

March – We entered the Mid-Somerset Festival in Bath and WON the female voice class!! Another lovely silver trophy to add to our collection.

February – first gig of the year – Concert at Staple Hill, Methodist Church. We were delighted to be invited back to this beautiful church to sing to an appreciative audience. Great atmosphere, great sound and lots of laughs! We showcased two new songs and made a presentation to our lovely Mo who is taking early retirement after singing bass with the Chorus for 39 years. We also welcomed three new members singing in their first gig.

2017

November – Our 40th Birthday Party Wow! What a wonderful evening – we invited many former members to join us in celebrating 40 years of Bristol Fashion. There was cake, there was laughter, there were so many shared memories and of course there was singing too.