CHEPSTOW MALE VOICE CHOIR:  It's that time of year again, when Chepstow Male Voice Choir undertakes its commitments in other parts of the world.

 This time the choir is off to the south west of France, where they have a strong association with a French male voice choir, the Chanteurs Pyreneen de Tarbes.  They will spend four days in the area and perform two concerts, which will be shared with the choir’s French hosts. A significant number of the Welsh contingent will be staying in the homes of members of the Tarbes choir. The French choir pays reciprocal visits to Chepstow and has performed here on a number of occasions.

 One other piece of good news for the choir is that their chairman, George Matthews, and the assistant musical director, Elaine Rigby, have become engaged. The members of the choir are delighted with this news and have given the couple their blessing.

 The search for a replacement for musical director, Brian Howard, continues. He is due to retire after the choir’s Christmas concert and a vigorous advertising effort is being made within the ‘watershed area’ of South Wales. The ‘word of mouth’ method is also in full cry.