From the June 2008 Newsletter

Greetings from the Editor

Dear Friends of The Dalesmen Male Voice Choir,
Three more months have passed by very quickly and it is time to publish our next newsletter. I really do enjoy putting these publications together and I sincerely hope that you enjoy reading them.
I would like to thank all those who enquired and sent good wishes during my recent bout of illness. The comradeship and fellowship found within the Choir is never far below the surface, particularly when someone is ill. This is one of the reasons we plead with you to support Ian Clulow in his fight against Multiple Sclerosis. Ian is to undergo some very costly, intensive and pioneering treatment and we all send our sincere wishes for a complete recovery to good health. Our Concert Secretary makes further reference to this in his writings below..
Please take another look at the Choir's website. I have recently, hopefully, made it even easier to negotiate your way around its pages.
With best wishes
Sid Harbey (Editor).

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CHAIRMAN’S CORNER
We are all delighted to hear that Mrs. Alice Harbey has been awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, published on 14 June 2008. Alice richly deserves this honour for her charity work with many organisations and her caring attitude for family and friends in the community. Alice (and Sid) are now looking forward to going to the Palace, where she will receive her award.
At our recent concert at Christ Church, Belper, the Choir's Patron, Lady Winfred Hilton, was presented with a bouquet of flowers as a way of saying thank you for her most generous gift of our new keyboard. Lady Hilton and her late husband, Colonel Sir Peter Hilton, have been great supporters of the Dalesmen since the Choir was formed. We are all most grateful for that.
Sadly, our Deputy Accompanist, Anne Osborne, has left the Choir. She moved house from nearby Youlgreave to Lincoln at the end of last year and has continued to attend rehearsals and concerts when needed, despite the long and arduous winter journeys. Quite naturally, we wish Anne and her husband, Bob, well. We shall miss her friendship, good humour and excellent musicianship. She has offered her services in an emergency and, although it would be good to have Anne play for us again, let's hope an emergency never arises. We are still seeking a replacement for Anne, so please contact us if you know anyone who might fit the bill.
Extra rehearsals are still taking place in preparation for the Massed Choir & Brass Concert at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Tickets are selling well so please be sure to book them early to avoid disappointment. Box Office telephone number: 0115-989-5555.
Thank you all for your support. Best wishes to everyone.
Paul Sheward
June 2008

NEWS FROM THE CONCERT SECRETARY’S PEN

Summer is here so it means we ease off on our concerts to allow for holidays. On Saturday 28 June we are sharing in a concert with the Band of HM Royal Marines School of Music, Portsmouth at Lady Manners School, Bakewell. As promised, those of you who purchased a ticket for last year, these will still be valid for this year if presented on the door.
One concert we would particularly like you to support is a joint concert with Matlock Gilbert & Sullivan Society at All Saints Church, Smedley Street, Matlock on Friday 18 July. This concert is to help raise funds for 2nd Tenor Ian Clulow, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and who is to undergo pioneering stem cell transplantation at a cost of £24,000. Ian starts his chemotherapy in a few days time in preparation for the stem cell implant. This treatment could take many months. For more information on Ian and any updates, log on to www.mspioneerfund.org
In July and August there will be no let up for the Choir because Andrew has purchased a large amount of Christmas music which he will be busy teaching us.
From the concert platform:
I am sure you will have noticed many new faces in the Choir. They have worked very hard and been keen to learn the music and words. Thanks are due to Chris Hayward who has given much time to organising and acquiring their uniforms.
Malcolm Dipper continues to receive treatment for his heart problems and our thoughts and prayers are with Sue and Malcolm at this time.
Ken Tucker is back after a six-month visit to New Zealand and Colin Plevey is looking to continue his world wide travels sometime in the near future.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to meeting you at our concerts in 2008.
Gordon Bright
Concert Ticket Sales - Roger Francombe (01629 583380)
CD/DVD/Video Sales - Chris Hayward (01332 831254).