Wenlock Welcome for Bangor Ladies

The choir was pleased to welcome Bangor Ladies Choir from Northern Ireland over the May bank holiday weekend in what was a memorable occasion, not least because the weather turned sunny. On Friday 24th May a full civic reception was held at the Guildhall, when Much Wenlock Town Mayor Milner Whiteman formally welcomed the choir to the town and gifts were exchanged; following the presentation the ladies sang ‘Danny Boy’, the sound floated around the 16th century building with an almost ethereal quality and had a big impact on everyone present. Following the reception the choir toured the town and were served with lunch at the Talbot Inn.
On Saturday evening a joint concert was held at the Holy Trinity Church, Much Wenlock to a near capacity audience, the Bangor choir entertained with a mixture of traditional and popular songs including ‘Carrickfergus’, ‘Kalinka’, ‘Imagine’ and ‘Big Spender’ in which the Much Wenlock Choir Chairman Gary Jones was serenaded and showered with (Monopoly) money, much to the amusement of the audience. Much Wenlock Choir sang the South African anthem ‘African Prayer’ and the traditional ‘Working Man’. The choirs combined in joint pieces ‘Hallelujah’, ‘Cole Porter Medley’ and the finale ‘Morte Criste’. Following the concert both choirs adjourned to the Priory Hall where refreshments had been laid on, completing a highly enjoyable evening.
The Bangor Choir were formed in 1976 and have 62 members, 50 travelling to Much Wenlock for the weekends performance. Their Musical Director Paul Briggs was appointed in 2011 and together with Elizabeth Whalley their Accompanist the choir has gone from strength to strength; they have travelled extensively and raised many thousands of pounds for charity.