LONG-SERVING members of one of Chester's top choirs have been honoured with special accolades celebrating their contribution to music-making spanning 60 years.

Special badges and awards of Honorary Life Memberships have been granted to ten Chester Male Voice Choir members.

Half of the awards have already been presented to members on their doorsteps in order to comply with Covid-19 restrictions.

The presentations were made by the chairman of the choir, John Walsh, accompanied by committee members Ron Webster and Blair Wilson.

Recipients included:

  • Norman Harvey, 37 years service
  • Mike Hendy, 44 years
  • Roy Gallimore 48 years
  • Geoff Hewson, 48 years
  • Mike Heathcote, 50 years

Unfortunately, due to travel and other restrictions, presentations have yet to be made to some members including Lance Howie (30 years service), Gerry Smith (36 years), and Howard Millington and Derek Hewson (both 40 years).

The presentation of a posthumous award in memory of the late Bob Cunningham in recognition of his 60 years of service with the choir was made to his wife Sheila.

Speaking about the special presentations, John Walsh said: "2021 will be the 80th anniversary of the choir's formation. Not surprisingly, we have members who have given long service and we felt it appropriate to give them the recognition they richly deserve with the award of the status of Honorary Life Membership.

"Special ceramic badges were designed for recipients to proudly wear on their uniform and certificates signed by our President Her Grace The Duchess of Westminster were printed and framed.

"The qualification level chosen was 30 years and every subsequent 10 years. We found we had no less than ten members who qualified with, amazingly, one at 50 years and one at 60 years!

"It is testament to the pleasure gained from membership that choir members stay so very long. Most of those recognised have been committee members, chairmen secretaries and treasurers during their tenure.

"Under normal circumstances we would have held a special awards evening for all members and families but that wasn't possible due to Covid.

"So, with colleagues Ron Webster and Blair Wilson who developed the scheme, we donned our uniform suits and took to the road to make presentations on our award winners' doorsteps!"

Chester and District Standard:

Chester Male Voice Choir at a Chester Town Hall performance last year with the late Bob Cunningham on the front row, fifth from the right. Credit: Will Hay Photography.

Amongst those to receive his award at one of the special doorstep ceremonies was Mike Heathcote of Saughall.

The 82-year-old former choir chairman has been a member for an impressive 50 years and was instrumental in organising some of the groups many concert tours throughout the UK and oversees, including one to South Dakota, USA, in 1980.

Mike, a retired police officer said: "I was surprised and delighted by the award of Honorary Life Membership. The fellowship of the choir has played such an important part in my life and that of my family.

"There have been so many highlights over the last 50 years, not least singing in the great cathedrals of Europe including, amongst others St Vitus in Prague, Notre Dame in Paris and Cologne Cathedral.

"It’s also been a privilege to share the Chester concert stage with several world-famous stars such as Sir Bryn Terfel, and Sir Willard White, and to have participated in several massed Male Voice Choir concerts at the Royal Albert Hall.

"Most of all, I value very much the many friendships that myself and my family have made as a result of my being a member of the choir, that is something really special."