A CHOIR raised the roof in honour of a recently retired member, presenting him with a lifetime achievement award and the post of honorary vice president.

The Caldicot Male Voice Choir’s award to former bass chorister Terry Plummer was made during a flower festival concert at Wimbourne St Giles church in Dorset.

Terry, who spent some 40 years singing with the choir, said: “I am totally overcome by this award, it is totally unexpected and I would like to thank you all. I’m not sure I deserve it.”

The citation reads “In Grateful Recognition and Long Service to the Traditions and Values of Welsh Male Voice Choirs” and is given only to those choristers who have made a significant contribution to the choir over a long period.

Musical director Siân Hatton presented the award in front of four thrilled members of Terry’s family and the concert audience, before he accepted the invitation to loud applause to join in with the last item of the concert O Gymru, where he took up his old position in the back row of the bass section. A choir spokesman said: “Terry has been a loyal and talented member of the bass section for about 40 years before ill health made him make the reluctant decision to retire from the choir.

“Not only has he attended almost every practice and concert over this long period, he has also been supportive throughout of new members in helping them meet the challenges of being in a large male choir.

“Terry has been instrumental in obtaining several concerts for the choir over many years, has been a keen participant not only of these and choir tours but also of the many social events arranged by the choir.

“Thank you, Terry, for all you have done for this choir over many years. We look forward to seeing you at our practices and concerts.”

The concert saw some 60 members of Caldicot Male Voice Choir head to Dorset, to perform amid a wonderful display of flower arrangements and sculptures.

This year’s flower festival theme was Country Ways and the choir positioned itself against the magnificent wooden screen of the 18th century Georgian church.

The choir, conducted by Siân Hatton and accompanied by Stephen Berry and John Nicholson, performed a wide mix of favourites including Welsh hymns Rachie, Cwm Rhondda, Laudamus, Eli Jenkins’ Prayer and Malotte’s The Lord’s Prayer through to fast moving The Lady is a Tramp, With a Voice of Singing and Ride the Chariot.  

These pieces contrasted with the Welsh songs Anfonaf Angel the traditional, tragic, Welsh folk song, Bugeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn, The Impossible Dream featured in The Man of La Mancha and Mansions of the Lord from the film We are Soldiers.  

The choir also delighted the audience with its premier performance of Shenandoah. In a long, varied programme, Siân Hatton gave a rendition of the humorous Marriott Edgar poem Albert and the Lion accompanied on piano by Stephen Berry.

The programme included a performance from a four piece brass ensemble made up from young pupils of the local Queen Elizabeth School.

For more information on the choir, visit the website at www.caldicotmalevoicechoir.co.uk