ANNUAL SUMMER CONCERT: Our Annual Summer Concert at St Mary’s Priory Church, Chepstow, took place on Saturday June 17 when our very special guests were Vox in Frox, a ladies chamber choir.

It was not without concern for our audience or rather potentially ‘our hoped for’ audience, that we arrived at the concert date.

Our genuine concern was that due to the ongoing, and overdue work still being carried out to the church and its grounds, an audience had to negotiate what looked like a military training course, to access the interior.

In the event, we need not have had such concerns, as our good and faithful followers turned up in large numbers to enjoy what everyone agreed, was a top class performance from our guests and of course from Chepstow Male Voice Choir.

This was our 29th annual summer concert and we were conducted by our musical director Richard Fry,who is really coming into his own as our main man, and he’s bringing in some fresh material to offer our audiences.We were, as ever, fortunate indeed to have our two wonderful accompanists, Rosemarie Lewis and Kirsten Watson, not only did Kirsten accompany the choir, but she also arranged for a video of the entire concert, a track of which This is the Moment can be viewed and heard on Youtube.

Speaking of fortunate, we also have a gem in the shape of George Matthews to take the show along with some humour,and some basic information about the pieces of music that we sing. Thanks George, the audience loved it!

Vox in Frox have guested for us previously (two years ago) and our followers had asked if we could invite them again. This we did, and we were not disappointed.

This group of lovely ladies, or should that be this lovely group of ladies, did two sections, one set in each half consisting of four pieces each half, even singing Sospan Fach in Welsh without any copies (they do come from North Somerset, mind!) and also,they included that old favourite One Fine Day recorded by The Chiffons in the sixties ... even dancing to it!

We all went to Chepstow Athletic Club for an afterglow and some refreshments to round a fine evening off.

CHEPSTOW BIG LUNCH: On Sunday June 18, we were just one of the acts to entertain what was a large, but fluctuating audience (some going out whilst more coming in constantly!) as part of the Chepstow 950 celebrations in the Castle.

We were only tasked to sing for a 20 minute session and it was an extremely hot and sultry day, but we were almost under the canopy which provided some shade.

It seemed as though we were well received, but the audience had so many entertainers to occupy them in some very different genres. We now look forward with hope, to our Taster Night at The Dell School on July 6 when we would like to think we may be able to add to our numbers by drawing some more potential choristers.

It will take the form of an open night, so please if you think you’d like to give it a try, you’ll be made very welcome.

You will not be asked to sing in front of anyone, just come along and see if it’s for you. Twice a week, Monday and Thursday!

Our website is a useful information guide go to chepstowmvc.co.uk