BOTY 2011 - Thames Valley Chorus

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NOVEMBER 2011 

BOTY 2011 

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READING BARBERSHOP HARMONY CLUB 

TAG RAG NOVEMBER 2011 

CONTENTS LIST 

Page 

2 CHAIRMAN'S COLUMN MCDONALD 

3 EDITORIAL STARKIE 

3 TONY SPEAKS SEARLE 

4 DAYTIMERS STEERING GROUP O'SHEA 

5 LEARN TO SING UPDATE RAY WRIGHT 

5 A SLIGO DIARY MCDONALD 

6 SLIGO TRAVELLERS 

6 WHAT THE JUDGES SAID 

7 BARBERSHOP BABES 

7 RBHC AGM MINUTES PEARCE 

10 FROM OVER THE POND BEER 

11 ASSOCIATE MEMBER NEWS STARKIE 

12 SUPPORTERS IRENE STARKIE 

15 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

16 SLIGO PHOTOS 

17 SLIGO PHOTOS 

18 SUNNINGHILL PHOTOS 

NEXT COPY DEADLINE: 

13TH DECEMBER FOR 2OTH DISTRIBUTION 

"Buddies" among TVC who have unstintingly 

encouraged the new boys. If I have missed anyone 

out please accept my apologies! 

Mike Taylor and Bill Payne have done a great job 

in showing the LTS guys that good singing can be 

such fantastic fun. 

Tuesday 22nd November will give the LTS recruits 

a chance to show their families and friends how 

much they have achieved in 6 weeks, and what a 

great chorus they could be joining - so let's make 

sure that we make them feel welcome. 

The other good news story comes from our visit to 

the Sligo International Choral Festival. First place 

finishes in the Barbershop Chorus and Quartet 

(Rockaholics) categories, and a very close second 

in the Gospel category, have demonstrated that 

there remains a great competitive spirit within 

TVC. The Barbershop categories were judged by 

John Palmer (CD of Windsor, Royal Harmonics), 

who, in addition to his complimentary remarks on 

the day, announced our success at the Windsor 

rehearsal on Wednesday evening. 

Very big thank you's are due to Sean O'Shea, Brian 

Milbank, and Tony Searle for their invaluable 

contributions to making Sligo such a memorable 

experience, and a big boost to the whole club. 

We have several singouts through November/ 

December, culminating in the BBC Radio 

Berkshire Carol Service in Reading Minster on 

Tuesday 13th December. Please do your best to 

support as many of these as possible. 

Finally, your Executive Committee are making 

good progress in identifying a suitable new 

Musical Director - more details will follow soon. 

CHAIRMAN'S COLUMN 

I'm delighted to report GOOD NEWS for Tag Rag! 

IAN MCDONALD 

Chairman 

***************************************** 

Firstly, the Learn To Sing course seems to have 

unearthed several good singers (including Tenors 

and Baris), whom we hope to welcome into the 

chorus soon. Our thanks should go to Ray Wright, 

Brian Milbank, Lawrence McNulty, and several 

Page 2 

Values are like fingerprints. Nobody's are the same, but you leave 'em 

all over everything you do. - Elvis Presley


EDITORIAL 

Happy New Year - I mean the Barbershop Year! 

Our new executive and trustees took over the 

reigns officially from the AGM at the end of 

October (25th). I welcome our new chairman Ian's 

first leader article for Tag Rag and I hope he 

doesn't find the monthly routine too demanding. 

The good news is that there is so much going on in 

the Club so there's plenty of subject matter. I've 

sent a letter of thanks to the Piggott School for 

allowing us to leave cars there over the Sligo 

weekend. 

Thanks to Andy Pearce's efforts I can share the 

minutes of that gathering with you. 

Congratulations to Sean O'Shea for being the 

popular choice to receive the 2011 Barbershopper 

of the Year (BOTY) award. There's also a very 

welcome letter from Bruce Beer sharing his latest 

news. 

Naturally I was disappointed not to have the Club 

Rules amendment accepted to put a maximum 

length on the tenure of a Trustee/Officer post. 

Although there were no serious arguments against 

the proposal it was lost by a significant margin on 

the vote. Maybe I didn't explain the case well 

enough? 

My thanks to Sean for sharing the results of the 

meeting held to determine a new direction for the 

Daytimers; A higher profile, greater participation 

and more engagements will add extra fizz to the 

sterling work that this small group do. 

GRAHAM STARKIE 

Editor 

***************************************** 

TONY SPEAKS 

What a terrific weekend we all had in the Emerald 

Isle. We were second (by just one point) in the 

Gospel category when we are not a Gospel Choir 

and first in the Barbershop Category with only 25 

singers. We were scored 69 and 67 by John 

Palmer of Windsor (for me that would have been a 

low to mid 70 score with the full entourage that we 

will have at Convention) and that is just what we 

are aiming for this year. This result could not have 

come at a better time in our history because of the 

situation we have all experienced in the past six 

months. I hope it has done your confidence good 

because you ARE great. Perhaps you will now 

believe it. Singing in the Cathedral too was 

something else – in tune singing that echoed 

around the vast stone edifices was something that 

affected the speed of my direction. I took things 

just that little bit slower to let the sound rattle, and 

boy it did. Pitch maintenance was far, far better 

than I have heard it before so well done to you all. 

It was a pleasure working with you. 

It was great news too for Rox who won the 

Barbershop Quartet competition by quite some 

margin. Hats off to them, for they were running 

around from one place to another all day long on 

the Saturday to ensure that they supported the 

chorus. Interesting comment from John Palmer 

was that he thought the tenors at one point in the 

ballad did an excellent job of a certain phrase. We 

must have been stacking up overtones for we only 

had ONE tenor there, namely Roger Wilkinson – 

well done Roger! 

Page 3 




I must add thanks to everyone involved in the 

organisation of the weekend but especially to Sean 

O’Shea who did an absolutely marvellous job for 

all of us both before the weekend and during it. 

Thanks Sean very much indeed. 

THE GOOSE IS GETTING FAT… 

Christmas time approaches and it is time for 

Christmas Carols' revision. We do not have too 

many performances to give this Christmas, so I do 

not intend to spend an inordinate amount of time 

revising them or expecting our new singers to learn 

them by heart. I have asked the Exec to obtain 

folders into which can be inserted the Carols that 

we plan to sing and we will use the music visibly 

in front of the audience using these uniform 

folders. I do not want odd sheets of music held up 

for all to see but uniform coloured folders that look 

professional. This will mean that you do not have 

to learn all the words – just enough to ensure that 

you are looking over the top of your folders at the 

director when you sing. We will sort out the ones 

to be done during our next rehearsals. 

SONGS NOW IN REHEARSAL, AND HELP 

FOR OUR NEWER SINGERS 

Excluding Carols, the songs on which we will now 

be concentrating our rehearsals are Let a songbird 

fly, This is the moment and You don’t know me. 

The latter is our Ballad for Convention 2012 and 

the second number for that occasion is Never say 

never again again Medley which is now on the 

website and will be the next number into rehearsal 

sometime around Christmas or starting the New 

Year. 

In order to get our newer members onto the risers 

and performing to the public as soon as possible, I 

am planning to have a second half performance 

spot in a two spot booking that will contain them 

all. The songs in that second half spot will be:- 

Never Say Never Again Again Medley 

Let A Songbird Fly 

You Don’t Know Me 

This Is The Moment 

Happy Together 

(Show me the way to) Amarillo 

This means that, apart from learning all the new 

songs that we are learning in rehearsals, they will 

only have to master two more songs from our 

existing repertoire (Amarillo and Happy together) 

before they sing with us to an audience. Please 

give them all the help you can to master these two 

songs and gain their green dots. 

TONY SEARLE 

Chorus Director 

***************************************** 

DAYTIMERS 

There was a meeting of a small group on 2/11/11. 

Those present; Sean O'Shea. Pat Perridge, Mervyn 

Clark, Chris Bradley, Clive Pugh. (Subject matter 

future of Daytimers) 

Some conclusions. 

* We must market ourselves to a wider audience. 

Clive will produce a document outlining HOW 

and When etc. 

* Daytimers wish to be seen as part of TVC, and 

not a separate unit. 

* We wish to change the title from 

"DAYTIMERS" to " THAMES VALLEY 

SINGERS" which will readily denote who we 

are and what we do to our clients. 

* We wish to improve the standard of singing 

within the group, and to that end, after Sligo, 

initially there will a 2 hour monthly rehearsal at 

Charvil village hall. 

* Chris Bradley will continue to be the CD and be 

responsible for the music content of singouts 

and rehearsals. Phill Ward is retiring (from fulltime 

work) in Feb and will be joining the group 

and he will be of great assistance to Chris and 

the group as a whole. Chris will also be 

responsible for discipline within the group. 

* It is the wish of the group that the exec will 

accept these proposals, and present them in full 

to the full chorus in due course. 

* It is the hope of this group that if these changes 

are adopted that more members of the club will 

be encouraged to join us even on an occasional 

basis 

SEAN O'SHEA 

************************************************* 

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LEARN TO SING UPDATE 

The Learn To Sing course has just passed it's 5th 

week. There is a core of twenty attendees 

averaging fifteen per week: 6 Bass; 5 Bari; 5 Lead; 

4 Tenor. A good spread, and hopefully at least six 

will join the chorus. 

All students have improved tremendously under 

the tutelage of Mike Taylor, very ably assisted by 

Brian Milbank, Jim Downing and Bill Payne, who 

manage to maintain interest by making it fun 

whilst learning. 

Next week (23 November) they are invited to bring 

along family/friends to watch them perform 'Let 

Your Songbird Fly' along with the chorus. 

Some students have been brave enough to join us 

on the risers already, and have fitted in rather well! 

The students that turn up for 'normal' rehearsals the 

following week will be assigned 'buddies', to help 

them become fully-fledged members. 

Lord Mountbatten), the grave of the famous Irish 

poet, W B Yeats, a holy well where clandestine 

and illegal masses were at one time celebrated, and 

the lovely Glencar waterfall. 

A group of us attended the Opening Ceremony of 

the Choral Festival on the Friday evening and were 

particularly entranced by the local St Mary's 

School Community Choir who apart from their 

quality singing showed us some great 

choreography. Tony has seized upon it for a new 

song for TVC. Saturday was our really busy day - 

rehearsals at 9.00, singout in the main shopping 

centre at 1130, and Rox in Foley's Bar at 1200 

(singing only!). 

We heard some really inspiring Gospel choirs in 

the Gospel competition at St Anne's church from 

2.00 pm. To the surprise of everyone in TVC we 

achieved second place in this category with This 

Little Light Of Mine and Swing Low Sweet 

Chariot, and with 86 points, only one point less 

than the winners. 

Yours in harmony 

RAY WRIGHT 

***************************************** 

Now in our own speciality, the first achievement 

was that Rox did a great job by winning the 

barbershop quartet competition. TVC then went on 

to win the barbershop chorus competition with 

marks of 69 for Raining In My Heart and 68 for 

Birth of the Blues. To cap it all, the judge for the 

Barbershop competitions was John Palmer, 

Director of Royal Harmonics (Windsor). 

A SLIGO DIARY 

Our journey on Thursday started well, with Piggott 

parking expertly supervised by Graham Starkie and 

Dave Colver. 

A somewhat lively take-off and bumpy landing 

courtesy of Aer Lingus got us safely to Knock 

airport, from where a really helpful Paul Furey of 

Fureys Coaches took us to our hotel in Sligo. 

Organiser-in-chief Sean O'Shea arranged with Paul 

a coach tour on Friday of the local beauty spots, 

covering Mullagmore, (where the IRA assassinated 

A real day to remember for TVC and a big morale 

booster for the whole club! 

On Sunday we were invited to sing at Mass in 

Sligo Cathedral, where our renderings of Can You 

Feel The Love, Let All Mortal Flesh, and This 

Little Light of Mine won us a standing ovation 

from the large congregation. 

The day was rounded off with a Sunday Brunch 

and informal concert organised by the Festival at 

our hotel, with TVC contributing a four song set. 

Especial thanks go to Brian Milbank for his input 

from the beginning and to Sean O'Shea for all his 

efforts over a long period in organising the hotel 

and travel arrangements. 

Page 5 




Finally, this was a great personal triumph for Tony 

Searle who inspired us to excellent performances, 

and thanks of course to all those members who 

made the trip so enjoyable. 

IAN MCDONALD 

***************************************** 

SLIGO TRAVELLERS 

The following is a list of travellers to Sligo on the 

Emerald Isle. 

Mike & Stella Ayres 

Chris & Debbie Bradley 

Brian & Christine Callaghan 

Mervyn & Janet Clark 

George & Margaret Colquhoun 

David Colver 

Ed & Barbara Deacon 

Phil Stewart 

Alan & Maureen Hill 

Barry & Davina Howard 

Simon Laight 

Peter Leverett 

Ian & Marge McDonald 

Mike & Gabi McKeown 

Brian Milbank 

Chris Oliver 

Sean O'Shea 

Andy & Lynda Pearce 

Pat & Daphne Perridge 

Mike & Jean Poulter 

Clive Pugh 

Tony & Wendy Searle 

John Shackleford 

Malcom Sheen 

Denis & Cristl Swift 

Phillip Ward 

Roger & Chrissie Wilkinson 

Barry Wills 

There are twenty-five singers plus a Chorus 

Director in this group. The stack can be seen in the 

photograph of the chorus on the competition stage 

on the front page. 

***************************************** 

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID 

CHORUS COMPETITION 

1. Raining in My Heart 

"Confident, effective story telling from the start. 

Be careful not to languish in "sorrow" where it 

affects placement then tuning. Some uncertainty 

on a couple of echoes, but lovely 2nd bridge 

section. Good job top tenors ringing that 

Chinese 7th just before Tag. Minor 

synchronisation issue in tag. Maintain Pitch. 

Mark 69 

2. Birth of The Blues 

Minor issue on triplets "till it was born". Careful 

not to get raucous on "out on a hill" second time 

in upper register. Meter again was solid, down 

beat always in right place. 

Mark 68 

So, with a 25-man chorus we achieved virtually the 

same mark as at convention with 50+ on stage, and 

this from the Chairman of the Guild of Judges! 

What a great example of singing with quality and 

commitment. 

QUARTET COMPETITION 

1. Jazz Came Up The River 

Atmospheric start creating that jazz/blues 

feeling. Rhythm established well. Audience 

made to feel very comfortable via blend. 

Mark 63 

2. New Ashmolean 

Need to keep tight on top of the note - 

especially repeated patterns. Presentation 

worked well - opportunities for visual comedy 

to support comedic lyric. 

Mark 63 

3. Birth of The Blues 

Effective set up. Slow swing handled very well. 

Mark 66 

These marks are the BABS banding ranges: 

60 - 80 Band B (Frequently good) 

80 - 100 Band A (Consistently good) 

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GOSPEL COMPETITION 

1. This Little Light 

Great communication right from the start. Lovely 

warm, rich sound and great sense of ensemble. 

Secure chording and key change. Well managed. 

Most enjoyable. 

EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT!!!!!! 

TVC always comes up with the goods at these 

events!!! I’m SO pleased for everyone. Please pass 

on my congratulations to Tony, he has done a 

stalwart job for the chorus!!! 

2. Swing Low 

Again, great energy and committed singing, lovely 

opening, just a little untidy at the entry of the 

melody and one or two moments of insecure 

chording. Close harmony/higher register section 

very well handled. 

Great performance - well done! 

Marks 86 

Marks awarded were in six bands: 

75 -77 - Fair 

78 - 80 - Moderate 

81 - 83 - Merit 

84 - 86 - Commended 

87 - 89 - Distinction 

90+ - Outstanding 

***************************************** 

I delighted to hear the news and to be kept in the 

loop, the chorus matters very much to me, even 

though I’m in Wales and not directly involved. 

There is a very special place in my heart for the 

TVC!! 

Loads of love, 

Rhi 

X (to be shared equally between you all!) 

***************************************** 

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL 

MEETING HELD AT THE PIGGOTT 

SCHOOL, WARGRAVE ON 

TUESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2011 9.10 pm 

1. Welcome 

The Chairman, Sean O’Shea, welcomed the 

members to the meeting. The 43 full members 

present were listed in Heather Mill’s club register. 

2. Apologies 

Apologies were received from Robert Barr, Denis 

Wright, Garry Evans, Brian Campbell, Don 

Jeffery, Dave Elson, and Malcolm Hall. 

3. Minutes of the AGM Held on 26 October 2010 

The minutes were available on the web site. It was 

proposed by Brian Callaghan and seconded by 

Chris Bradley that the minutes be accepted. This 

was approved unanimously. 

There were no matters arising. 

4. Reports 

BARBERSHOP BABES 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR 

NOVEMBER TRIO 

4.1 Report and Accounts 2009-2010: Alex 

Russell 

The accounts had been circulated by email and 

printed copies were available at the AGM. 

MURRAY DOWNING 

ALAN HILL 

ROGER WILKINSON 

***************************************** 

The Director Finance’s Report is attached to the 

minutes. Alex noted that the accounts had been 

examined and signed off by Chris Schrier. He 

thanked Ken for his hard work as Treasurer. 

Page 7 




Alex talked to three slides he projected on the 

screen regarding the overall trend of our finances. 

During 2010/11 there was a significant downward 

trend due to spending on uniforms and the like but 

not bolstered by a regular income as we had not 

done many singouts. This he said had to stop and 

he recommended that we curtailed our spending 

and increased the singouts. There was an overall 

loss of £1002, income over expenditure for the 

year. 

4.2 Director Performance Report: Brian 

Milbank 

Brian did a summary of his published report. The 

full report can be found at the end of these minutes. 

4.3. Chorus Director: Tony Searle 

Tony thanked Brian for all his efforts during the 

year. He indicated that there was a new song track 

on the web site and one soon to be on there. He 

appreciated that most don’t like “metal Mickey” 

teach tracks but that has to be set against time to 

get a voice recording and the cost of that. He 

would like to use Dale Kynaston for some 

recordings as he is very good and can do a 

reasonable turn around. 

Tony also reiterated what he had said at the EGM 

that he was happy to carry on as a temporary CD 

but the Club should look for a younger up and 

coming CD to take over. That Tony would support 

the new person in a hand over. 

4.4 Chorus Chairman: Sean O’Shea 

Gentlemen, I would like to say what a wonderful 

year we had, Increase in membership, Had one of 

the best coaches, Increased our percentage total at 

Convention, and the future is looking really good. 

That is what I would like to say, but. Regrettably I 

can’t say all these nice things because in mid-July 

this year the Chorus as you know had a bit of a 

disagreement about certain things Mark wanted to 

do. Nonetheless I think that Mark did a good job 

with us and improved our singing ability. However 

with Mark’s personal problems impacting the 

Chorus he decided that it was best that he left us 

with immediate effect. 

With Mark leaving we had to think fast on our toes 

to get a stand in CD. I would like to thank Tony 

Searle for taking over straight away when the 

Chorus was in a precarious state after Mark 

leaving. Also thanks to: 

Andy P taking over the Admin role and continuing 

with the new Exec. 

Heather Mills for all she does for us. 

Pat Perridge quietly beavering away on the web 

site and other tasks he gets asked to do. 

Lawrence for all his efforts. 

Brian Milbank, who retires after 3 quite 

challenging years as Director Performance. 

To Ian McDonald and the new Exec for making 

themselves available and continuing to manage the 

Club on your behalf. 

Gentlemen may I remind you that Exec represents 

you, please give them your full support. Ian has 

promised that the Exec will be open and honest 

with the membership, but give them enough license 

to do their job. 

How has the Club fared over the last year? 

Singouts, not so good, one major concert showing 

a profit of £542. A lot of effort for little return. The 

Daytimers, have done well by bringing in £1240, 

including £120 cd sales. The projected income of 

about £14,000 and outgoings of about £14,500. So 

you see we are going to have to work harder to 

bring in more income. We need to get more 

singouts and discuss our charges, including the 

Daytimers. 

Marks costs for the last 14 months were £10,500. 

Exec please note. Can we continue with that sort of 

outgoing for a CD? It has been an eventful and 

challenging year but at least we are still one 

Chorus. Marks idea of two Choruses was not 

thought through and in my view would have 

destroyed TVC. We are still, numerically, a big 

Chorus with over 50 members and hopefully new 

members will be joining us from the LTS course. 

In a way I blame myself for the situation we are in. 

Had we given Mark the £4,000 loan he asked for 

none of the resignations would have occurred. But 

looking back I believe it was wrong of Mark to 

have put us in that position and it was the correct 

decision to refuse the loan, even if it had been 

labeled as something else. 

I am absolutely sure that this Chorus will survive 

and even with our difficulties during the past year 

it has been an honor for me to serve your Club as 

Chairman. I thank you all for listening. 

Page 8 




5. Confirmation of new Exec: Sean O’Shea 

Sean confirmed the new Exec, as listed on the 

agenda for this AGM, having been elected at the 

previous EGM on 20 th September 2011. Sean then 

handed over the meeting to Ian McDonald. 

Ian thanked Brian Milbank as outgoing 

Performance Director for all his hard work, Tony 

for stepping in at such short notice and to Sean for 

“dropping him in it”. 

6. Gerry Holland Quartet Award 

Rockaholix retained this award by virtue of 

winning the BABS Seniors competition. 

7. Peter Dawson Novice Quartet Award 

This was not awarded as there were no new novice 

quartets. 

8. Barbershopper of the Year 

The award was presented Sean O’Shea for his role 

as Chairman over the last eventful year. Sean was 

shocked to get the award but very much 

appreciated the vote of thanks from the Club. 

9. Honorary Members’ Review 

Prior to voting on the list of existing Honorary 

Members there was a proposal by Brian Callaghan, 

seconded by Alan Hill, that Jim Downing should 

be made an Honorary Member. The citation read: 

“We consider that during his many years as a 

member of RBHC Jim Downing has made an 

outstanding contribution to the success of our club, 

and has without doubt provided meritorious service 

during his very long association with the club.” 

A vote was taken and approved unanimously. 

The list of honorary members was printed on the 

agenda - Haydn Adams, Gerry Holland, John 

James, Heather Mills, Barry Nowell, Tony Searle, 

Irene Starkie, Barry Towner, Sharon Towner, 

Rhiannon Owens-Hall and Peter Powell. Ian 

explained that all those on the list had performed 

meritorious service on behalf of the Club in the 

past and this is summarized in the yearbook. 

Members need to reaffirm the individual honorary 

members at each AGM and this was approved 

unanimously. 

Three Year rule Terms of Office (RULES 

AMENDMENT) Insert: 2.3(ii) No member of the 

Executive Committee may serve in the same 

position for more than three years continuously.’ 

Renumber paras 2.3(ii) and 2.3(iii) 

There was a discussion on this proposal. Mike 

McKeown said we should let the existing wording 

stay as is, Brian Callaghan said that it was not the 

right time to change this. Graham Starkie spoke for 

the motion. 

A vote was taken and 6 were in favor but the 

majority was not. The amendment failed. 

11. Child Protection 

The meeting was invited to reaffirm para 5.1 of the 

Club Rules: 

‘5.1 The RBHC believes that it is always 

unacceptable for a child or young person to 

experience abuse of any kind and recognizes its 

responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all 

children and young people under the age of 

eighteen by a commitment to practice which 

protects them. This is laid out in the RBHC Child 

Protection Policy Statement. This statement shall 

be affirmed and renewed at each AGM of the 

Club.’ The meeting reaffirmed this paragraph 

unanimously. 

12. Any Other Business 

There were three items listed on the agenda but 

these were withdrawn just prior to the meeting as 

they were going to be discussed at the Exec 

meetings. 

Ian read a statement regarding the recruitment of a 

new CD. 

RECRUITMENT OF NEW DIRECTOR 

Following Tony’s request that we search for a new 

Chorus Director, the Executive Committee tasked 

Pat Perridge to carry out the initial work of 

identifying potential candidates. Pat’s background 

as an H. R. Director and a headhunter makes him 

uniquely qualified for this task. 

10. Amendment of Constitution 

An amendment to the constitution was proposed by 

Graham Starkie and seconded by Malcolm Hall 

that: 

He has spoken with several senior people in the 

Barbershop world, including judges, coaches, 

chorus directors and medal winning singers. 

Page 9 




Some progress is being made, but we are not yet at 

the stage of making a decision. Before that can 

happen we will ensure that Tony, Assistant CD’s 

and Section Leaders have input in helping to select 

the right person for the job. 

It is vital to the future of TVC that we get the 

appointment right – we cannot afford another 18 

months of disappointment and disharmony – so 

please be patient with the Exec whilst we carry out 

the process. 

XMAS HOG ROAST 

The Christmas hog roast attendance is nearly up to 

the numbers that makes it viable but we do need 

more to commit to it. We need 70+ to make it 

financially viable. Sean is organizing this event. 

13. End of AGM 

This was followed by wine and nibbles provided 

by Sean as outgoing Chairman. Ian thanked Sean 

for his most generous offer of these refreshments. 

The AGM closed at 9.58pm 

Andy Pearce 

D. Admin 

5 November 2011 

***************************************** 

FROM OVER THE POND 

Hi there Graham, Irene, and all members of the 

TVC. 

Well, it is a long time since I have updated all y’all 

on life over here with the Vocal Majority, so as I 

am renewing my excellent value AM membership 

(late I am afraid) I thought I would let you know 

the most significant event in the life of the VM for 

many a year – I have decided to take 6 months 

leave of absence from the risers. I know this was a 

big shock to Jim Clancy and Jeff Oxley – joint 

CDs – and I know there were serious discussions 

about whether the VM could possibly carry on 

without me, but they bravely decided to limp on! 

“Why” I hear everyone shout. Well as you know 

the VM management decided to take some time off 

from competition to refresh our repertoire and 

make a new CD or two. Well from the beginning 

of the year we had a humungous amount of new 

music thrown at us and at the same time my travel 

throughout the US seemed to increase. I found it 

too much of a strain to try and learn all the new 

music and carry on business and travel everywhere, 

I got to the stage where if I had some “free” time I 

would feel guilty if I wasn’t head down vocal 

chords open learning new stuff and it was 

beginning to be a burden rather than an exciting 

and rewarding hobby. Also the immediate plans for 

the VM were to complete the CD (lots of new 

music), Spring shows (refreshing the repertoire – 

lots of new music), a TV Christmas recording 

(some new music), our Fall shows (some more new 

music), a 4 day trip to Hot Springs with 4 singouts 

(Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday), then 

Christmas shows with more new music. I also had 

my son David and his family from New Zealand 

due to stay with us for all of July with the 

obligatory trip to Disney for us all but especially 

my 5 year old granddaughter. So I had a very 

serious word with myself and decided to have a 

break and see how I feel in the New Year. I have 

worked hard over the last 16 years with the VM 

and have thoroughly enjoyed it, especially winning 

4 gold medals, but with this major increase in 

learning and my “real work” workload I made the 

decision that was best for me and the VM. If we 

were going to compete again next year I would 

have no doubts about returning in the New Year, 

but as we are not competing, I don’t know what I 

will decide to do yet – watch this space! 

Anyway, enough about me. I read with great 

interest, about the recent goings on in the TVC. 

Wow! I have yet to ferret out the reason for the 

turmoil – enquiring minds need to know – but the 

result sounds a bit traumatic. Having said that, 

reading Tag Rag I gather that it is being handled 

Page 10 




well and I wait to see TVC emerge an even 

stronger unit than before. 

with that interest. Let's hope he can get a team 

together along with a new source of funds. 

There we are, this is a very short epistle this time, 

but I thought you might be interested in the fact 

that the VM workload has eventually taken its toll 

on the Beer brain cell. I know you will all be on the 

edge of your collective seats waiting to know 

whether I go back on the risers next year or not – I 

will of course let you know once I know myself. 

I wish you all the very best of luck with the 

restructured TVC and wait to hear how it all settles 

down. I am an avid reader of Tag Rag so will try to 

keep up to date that way. 

Cheers for now, 

BRUCE BEER 

***************************************** 

ASSOCIATE MEMBER NEWS 

GRAHAM STARKIE Associate Member 

Coordinator 

Thank you to all the Associate Members for your 

continuing support. Now that I'm wearing 

Coordinator's hat permanently for the time being 

please send letters to me at 29 Kibblewhite 

Crescent, Twyford, READING RG10 9AX or 

emails to starkie@btinternet.com 

ASSOCIATE LETTERS/EMAILS 

Graham & Irene, 

Thank you for your recent letters, I suppose your 

new job means another pin/nail in Irene's Kendolly! 

I enclose my cheque for the AM 

subscription. 

Gina has been suffering from short-term memory 

loss for some time now. This has 

resulted/contributed to a fractured ankle and she 

has just had the plaster removed after six and a half 

weeks in hospital. We both hit the big 80 this year 

so things ain't what they used to be! Thank 

goodness I'm Ok. 

The family (Four grandchildren) are great and we 

both have lots of memories - yes Gina's is good 

long-term. I hope you are both well. 

Best wishes and love, 

Ken and Gina 

Slow progress is the only way I can describe my 

efforts to look at Associate members' needs. My 

best intentions to review the Associate member 

process have been pushed to one side by other 

things. My postbag however has still been 

available and I thank Ken Heath and Nigel Ewens 

for their interesting letters that are reproduced 

under. 

Ken has the unenviable responsibility of 

introducing me to barbershop singing. Back in 

1975 we met at a learning to read music/music 

appreciation class at evening school and it's being 

praying on his mind all this time! Be assured Ken 

that I'm still enjoying it as much now as I did then. 

Nigel was into steam engines in a big way and I 

have to assume the project he refers to is connected 

Graham, 

I hope this finds you and your family well. I so 

miss my barbershop, my friends and good 

fellowship but since I last sang some seven-years 

ago life got too pressured with looking after my 

mother in Bournemouth and business. I'm sorry to 

read about all the 'commotion' of the recent past 

and clash of personalities. A real shame and I hope 

a new hamonious chapter is unfolding; where oh 

where would the Club be without your unstinting 

devotion to the good cause? I do so hope that I'll 

will be able to come back occasionally to share the 

magic that is RBHC. I've been involved with a 

£300m project 'my baby' with some high-profile 

people but lost our funding due to the banking 

collapse. We must now rebuild from scatch both 

the team and the finance! My home is now rented 

in Wokingham until the housing market recovers 

Page 11 




and I can sell it. My mother passed away last 

November and I now think I've completed my 

responsibilities as executor. The house sale is the 

last job and I think that is almost complete. 

I now live in New Milton (Hampshire) with my 

partner Josephine (Jo) so I don't travel much these 

days. 

QED (UK) Limited 

Plumbing & Electrical Services, 

CCTV and advisory/management services 

for Renewables. 

Dimplex Accredited Heat Pump Specifier 

& Qualified Installer. 

Sincere best wishes, 

Nigel (Ewens) 

***************************************** 

QED is a Member of the Electrical 

Contractors’ Association, ICO Registered 

[CCTV] & 

“Trust Marked”. 

As a service to Chorus Members, advice 

related to the above Services are available 

with no obligation and no charge - 

especially on matters that may concern 

Safety in the home/business. 

[With apologies, but travel costs may 

apply!] 

SUPPORTERS. 

By all accounts the trip to Sligo was enjoyed by 

everyone who attended - congratulations to the 

Chorus and Rockaholics on their successes. 

As we are finally putting this edition of Tag Rag to 

bed after the Sunninghill singout I can report that 

the small chorus were very well received at the 

Victorian Fayre today. Despite the first spot being 

on the perimeter of the event there was a goodly 

number of people stopped to watch and listen. The 

second spot was in the centre of things and the 

chorus had a large and very appreciative audience. 

It was good to see Geraint singing despite being on 

a sabbatical at the moment. 

We saw Peter Groves recently and he is recovering 

well from his recent stroke. Unfortunately he has 

had to sell his beloved Harley Davidson. He will 

be coming to the Hog Roast so you will all be able 

to catch up with him then. 

Contact Reg Clifton, e-mail: 

qed.uk@regclifton.plus.com 

07867-780055 day, or 0118 - 979 – 0664 

evenings/weekend. 

Thanks to Bruce Beer, Ian McDonald, Sean 

O'Shea, Andy Pearce, Pat Perridge, Tony Searle, 

Denis Swift, Ray Wright and Irene for supplying 

copy. 

Editor 

Graham Starkie 

29 Kibblewhite Crescent, Twyford 

READING RG10 9AX ENGLAND 

Tel/Ans/Fax 0118 934 5214 

Email starkie@btinternet.com 


Copy deadlines: 

13th Dec for 20th distribution 

2012 

17th Jan for 24th distribution 

Until next time, 

Luv’n’hugs as always, 

IRENE 

***************************************** 

Page 12 




TAG RAG is published by the Reading 

Barbershop Harmony Club for the benefit of 

Members, Associates and anyone else who is 

fortunate or otherwise to come into contact with 

us. The opinions expressed in these pages are not 

necessarily the official Club view. 

Advertisement lineage will be accepted and 

printed free of charge in TAG RAG (subject to 

editorial discretion). Display advertising is 

available in exchange for a donation to club funds 

as agreed between the sponsor and the Marketing 

Director (see website for contact info) before the 

publication date. Please note that advertisements 

will be carried for two months only and then will 

be dropped (at the editor’s discretion) unless 

requested otherwise. 

Contacts - The Club’s Thames Valley Chorus 

rehearse on every Tuesday (with few exceptions) at 

the Piggott School Wargrave near Twyford 

Reading RG10 8DS from 7.45pm until 10.30pm. 

All visitors are welcome. See website 

www.tvchorus.co.uk for directions. 

SECURITY NOTICE The best place to park your 

car at the Piggott School is in the main car park at 

the side of the school; this area is under constant 

surveillance by four CCTV cameras. The camera 

over the front door only looks at the main entrance 

to record movements coming off the road. 

***************************************** 

WANT TO DOWNLOAD PAT'S SLIGO 

PHOTOS? 

1. View the slideshow on the Club website and 

click on 'Back to Pat Perridge's Sligo November 

2011 Set' (top left) 

2. Double click on the picture you want. 

3. Above the picture, click on 'Actions', then 'View 

all sizes' 

4. Then click on the link 'Download the large size 

of this photo' 

TVC delivering their second performance at 

the Sunninghill Victorian Fayre. 

Sunday 20 November 2011 

Photo by Irene Starkie 

Page 13 



RBHC's 


50 

Pay & Play Golf at its very best on two 

beautiful 9 hole courses. 

CLUB 

Are you part of the 

action? 

Why not join in the Club's monthly draws to win you 

some pocket money and provide a regular income to 

Club funds. 

Shares are £2 each 

payable by Standing Order. 

Contact Mike McKeown next Tuesday (or 

0118 988 2530) to join. 

The Straight Mile 

Wokingham Berks RG40 5SJ 

Affordable green fees and a warm, friendly 

welcome. Open Monday to Sunday plus Bank 

Holidays. Handicap membership available. Par 3 

course ideal for novice golfers. Wednesday and 

Friday Roll Up at 8am. 

Breakfast, lunches and snacks available daily. 

Fully licensed bar. 

Telephone 01344 869259 for more details or 

book a Tee Time. 

www.billingbearpark.com 

Golden sandy beaches 

Lots of historic remains 

Relaxed nightlife 

Side (pronounced see-day) on the 

Mediterranean coast in Southern Turkey. 

Two-bedroom ground floor apartment with air 

conditioning. Set in lovely gated grounds with 

24 hr security. Sleeps up to six. 

Facilities include swimming pool, fully equipped 

gym with sauna, bar/café. A short walk to local 

bars/restaurants, shops and beach. 

Airport transfers can be arranged. 

E mail: anita@surrey2420.freeserve.co.uk 

Tel 01344 489445 (Bracknell) Evenings. 

Page 14 



DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 


* Indicates an addition or update to last month’s Tag Rag. All these dates are listed in the 

calendar on the club website with singout briefs if available. 

NOV 22 Tue LtS wk6 

* NOV 25 Fri Chorus Wokingham Bowling Club RG41 1EG. Arrive at 7pm 

to sing at 7.45 for c30mins followed by a break then 

another c30mins of Christmassy music. 

* NOV 28 Mon Small 

Chorus 

RHS Wisley Christmas Craft Fair GU23 6QB. Arrive 

at 11.15am to sing at noon. Three sets of c30mins up to 

3pm. "Greens" 

* DEC 2 Fri Daytimers Pinehurst Care Centre 38/44 Duke's Ride Crowthorne 

RG45 6ND. Be there for 2pm 

* DEC 6 Tue Daytimers BAe Pals (British Aerospace Pensioners) Bracknell 

Rugby Club next door to 'Running Horse' public 

house, Old Ascot Road RG12 2UG. Meet at 10.45am 

* DEC 9 Fri Daytimers Windsor Blind Club Christmas Meeting at Windsor 

Cricket Club, Home Park, Windsor. Be there at 1pm 

for a 2pm sing. A list of car registration numbers and 

names of occupants is required by 6th December. Give 

the detail to Sean O'Shea. 

* DEC 9 Fri (Limited) Mayor's Reception Slough Town Hall 

Chrous 

DEC 11 Sun RBHC 

Social 

Christmas Hog Roast at the Magpie & Parrot 

Arborfield Road, Shinfield RG2 9EA from 1pm 

* DEC 13 Tue eve Chorus BBC Christmas Concert Reading Minster 

(last year we assembled at the Minster at 6pm) 

* DEC 20 Tue Daytimers Sunrise Senior Living, Old Bath Road, Sonning. RG4 

6TQ Be there at 2pm for 3pm sing. 

2012 

Jan/ 

Sat/Sun Chorus Oxford Music Festival - Details tba 

Feb 

* FEB 2 Thu Chorus Maiden Earley Social Circle 7.30 to 9.30pm 

FEB 4-5 Sat-Sun BABS Music Directors Academy Birmingham 

MAR 25 Sun BABS AGM Birmingham 

APR 28 Sat Chorus Windsor Parish Church with Ascot Brass 

MAY 25-27 Fri-Sun BABS Convention Southport 

Please update your diaries with the 

dates from the above list 

Page - 15 

Please support Tag Rag advertisers


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. 

5/"*"0.12.56*.5(77%&-(. 

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SUNNINGHILL 

CHRISTMAS FAYRE 


TVC delivering their first performance at the 

Sunninghill Victorian Fayre. 

Sunday 20 November 2011 

Photos by Pat Perridge 

Page - 18 



Page - 19 



Page - 20

BOTY 2011 - Thames Valley Chorus

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