Since early May our choir members have witnessed numerous life changes.
Firstly we congratulate Kate and Luke Boole on the birth of their second little girl. Olive, Connie, on 5th June. Kate is the daughter of Ian Bartle, 2nd Tenor and Sue Bartle a member of our choir Supporters’ Group. Both Kate and Sue have been active in support of the choir and Ian has occasionally been a concert compere. Everyone wishes the now bigger family health and good fortune.
The wedding of Jodie Christine McKernan and John Michael Robinson at St. Peter and St.Paul’s Church, Warsop, was a wonderful, traditional, family occasion. The choir was invited to perform prior to the ceremony and during the signing of the register. As was her perogative Jodie was slightly late in arriving which meant that Ian and Maureen guided the choir through an extended set including “For the Beauty of the Earth”, “Come to a Wedding” to the tune of Morning Has Broken, “The Wonder of You” and “Unchained Melody”. Perfect timing as the bride walked, resplendent, down the aisle to meet her future husband and the Reverend David Fudger who conducted the wedding service.
The choir performed “The Rose” and “Guardian Angel” during the signing of the register. It was a powerful moment when everyone passionately sang Jerusalem. Jodie told me that Guardian Angel reminded her of her mum and how it made the afternoon complete.
Three funerals. Oh dear! We said goodbye to three former choristers in the last month.
Alastair Marr, former Baritone, was a choir member for 37 years (1986 – 2023) and both he and Wendy were central to many of the choir activities. Alastair was the main man in building close ties to Froshin Male Voice Choir in Heiligenhaus, Germany. In the late 1980s and early 1990s Mansfield and Heiligenhaus were twinned towns and our choir was at the forefront of repeated cultural exchange visits which were organised by Alastair. A very gentle and caring man Alastair spent most of his working life with a local estate agent.
He and Wendy loved cruising and could often be heard discussing his fabulous breaks with choir members.
Graham Woodcock lived in the Mansfield area all his life. He was a 1st Tenor for a few years from 2009 to 2017 and loved his singing with the choir. A skilled painter and decorator he rarely missed rehearsals and concerts. We send our condolences to Iris and his extended family.
Finally, we are sad to hear of the passing of John (Jack) Batey, former Baritone (2011 – 2019). Jack hailed from the Sunderland, remaining a Sunderland fan all his life and lived life to the full. He had two careers, as a Pit Deputy at Calverton mine and then with the NHS. He was married twice, firstly to Kath and then to Pat who was an active member of our choir Supporters’ Group. He was a member of two male voice choirs, ours and Gresley Male Voice Choir and lived in two countries, the UK and Cyprus for 5 years. When resident in Mansfield he and Pat lived in the small village of Spion Kop along the A60 from Mansfield before relocating to Stretton near Burton on Trent to be near family in Uttoxeter. A powerful singer, a through gentleman and a genuine family man.
All three chaps are greatly missed and we thank them for their contribution to the life and perpetuity of the choir.
