AUGUST 2009 - Thames Valley Chorus

www.tvchorus.co.uk AUGUST 2009 

Registered Charity number 1125742 

Haydn says: 

Unfortunately I shall not be with them on this occasion as I have been on special 

leave of absence for the past twelve months. If anyone attends the concert, please 

speak to any member and mention my name stating that you are from RBHC and you 

will be given a warm welcome. 

In Harmony, Haydn

READING BARBERSHOP HARMONY CLUB 

A LOOK AHEAD TO 

SEPTEMBER 2009 

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 

SEPTEMBER 

2009 

1 

Rehearsal 

Jon Conway 

to visit 

2 3 4 5 

Singout? 

BABS AGM 

Birmingham 

6 7 8 

Rehearsal 

9 10 11 12 

13 14 15 

NATIONAL 

20 

Palladium 

Show 

Rehearsal 

TAG RAG 

COPY 

DEADLINE 

21 22 

Rehearsal 

TAG RAG 

DISTRIBUTION 

16 17 18 19 

BARBERSHOP AWARENESS WEEK 

23 24 25 

Daytimers 

Broad Street 

Reading 

26 

27 28 29 

Rehearsal 

30 

SEPTEMBER 


Calendars showing the remaining days of August 2009 and the month of October 2009 

are at the back of TAG RAG 

MORE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY * indicates an addition or update to last month’s Tag Rag 

2009 AUG 18 Tue 2008 resumed AGM to accept 2007/8 Accounts 

AUG 23 Sun Club Barbecue at the Leathem’s - 1pm 

AUG 28-30 Fri-Sun BABS Harmony College Nottingham University 

* SEP 1 Tue Jon Conway to attend rehearsal 

* SEP 5 Sat Chorus Singout for Mike Poulter 

* SEP 5 Sat BABS Council Meeting NEC Birmingham 

SEP 12-20 Sat/Sun BABS/LABBS/SA National Barbershop Awareness Week 

SEP 20 Sun BABS/LABBS/SA Barbershop In Harmony Show at London Palladium 

SEP 25 Fri Daytimers Diabetic Association Broad Street Reading 1.30 sing 

OCT 8-12 Thu-Mon Full Chorus Lake Garda Italy Music Festival and Competition 

OCT 16 Fri 25+Chorus RHS Wisley singout on Friday afternoon 

NOV 15 Sun BABS BABS Quartet Prelims Birmingham Conservatoire 

DEC 2 Wed Daytimers Kennet Court Wokingham 1.30pm for 2.30pm sing 

DEC 9 Wed Daytimers Thamesfield House Henley 1.45pm for 2.45pm sing 

DEC 16 Wed Chorus Evening singout for Arthritis Matters 

DEC 20 Sun Full Chorus Christmas show Desborough Suite Maidenhead 

2010 FEB 20-21 Sat-Sun Full Chorus Away Weekend Dance Studio South Hill Park Bracknell 

MAR 6 Sat Full Chorus Singout in Methodist Church Wokingham 

APR 17or24 Sat Full Chorus Singout at Epping for Rotary Club 

MAY 28-30 Fri-Sun BABS Annual Convention Harrogate 

Page 2 

Please update your diaries to include the list of Club commitments above.


TAG RAG AUGUST 2009 

CONTENTS LIST 

Page 

2 A LOOK AHEAD TO SEPTEMBER 2009 

2 MORE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

3 FROM THE CHAIR LEATHEM 

5 EDITORIAL STARKIE 

7 RIVA COLLECTED BITS 

9 BARBERSHOP BABES 

10 THANK YOU MCCANN 

10 PLEASE TELL ME STARKIE 

12 ASSOCIATE MEMBER NEWS 

13 ASSOCIATE MEMBER LETTERS/EMAILS 

14 SELECTED WEEKLY NOTICES 

16 HISTORICAL NOTES HAYDN ADAMS 

17 SUPPORTERS IRENE STARKIE 

20 WESTMINSTER SHOW PHOTO JESSOP 

21 SONNING SHOW PHOTOS MCNULTY 

22 35 TH ANNIVERSARY MEAL SASSÉ 

24 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

NEXT COPY DEADLINE: 

15TH SEPTEMBER FOR 22ND DISTRIBUTION 

• Value for money for our members 

• A sense of enjoyment, fulfilment, 

achievement and friendship 

• Opportunities for training to improve 

personal performance 

• Opportunities to enjoy Barbershop and 

harmonious singing to whatever level each 

member desires. 

These are commitments by management but no 

equal commitments by members. I would like to 

add a rule: Always to act with honour, be careful 

with my criticism and liberal with my praise; 

build up and not destroy. We are steadily getting 

more members and volunteers. We all must 

encourage unity and teamwork. 

Hot off the press - NEW VIDEO OF THE 

WESTMINSTER SHOW 

I took it on myself to organise a video to be done 

of the Westminster show because it would be one 

of the most important and memorable events in our 

club history. It is now available and looking good. 

Please sign up for copies – £7 each -proceeds 

towards Lake Garda trip. This DVD will be on sale 

throughout BABS and accords with our mission 

statement above... 

FROM THE CHAIR 

Our Mission statement 

‘To be a leading Barbershop club with a high 

reputation at local, national and international level 

for harmony singing and audience entertainment.’ 

CLUB BARBECUE 

Sunday 23 rd August 1 pm.174 Upper Woodcote 

Rd, Caversham RG4 7JU. £10.00. Come from 

Caversham bridge up the hill on the A4074 

towards Wallingford. Past the speed camera and 

just before the bend with the phone box turn left to 

park. Disabled may find room in my drive. Please 

email me / sign the list. Families are very 

welcome. I will need to know if small children will 

be present so as to cover my ponds. I am looking 

for help in erecting gazebo’s on the Saturday – 

only about an hour. 

We can measure our success against this and I 

believe we are currently scoring well. 

As chairman, I have been trying to implement the 

objectives in our rules. I need you to support me 

in this – to provide:- 

Prize for worst/silliest Tshirt/Shorts. Gents 

knobbly knees competition. 

Page 3 

We can accomplish anything within our ability only if we think we can.


SOCIAL SECRETARY 

ROGER WILKINSON 

Roger kindly volunteered to be club social 

secretary and has been doing his best taking 

members for trips on the Jolly Roger. Contact him 

to book for a trip on the Thames. 

SINGING PERFORMANCE 

We are a top singing club but how can we do 

better? 

The intense period of recent events have 

encouraged us to perform at the top of our game. 

This has been achieved by good discipline, 

coaching, really performing the songs and 

following the CD. The employment of Jon 

Conway as our vocal coach is intended to continue 

this trend. Jon’s next appearance is 1 September. 

PVI is continuing. Gary Evans volunteered and Jon 

did a coaching session with him at my invitation. 

Ask Gary how it went. Those who were there on 4 

May will know how much Jon can contribute. 

Here are four reminders:- 

• We loved it at the Westminster concert 

when we provided real dynamics in our 

singing. Jon is helping us work more 

closely with Rhi. Watch the strength in her 

body when she wants a full strong sound or 

relaxes for gently warm sound. 

• Relax and open your throat with the silent 

laugh 

• Use the hands together/push technique in 

the singer’s stance to practice support. 

Remember that you need to use your body 

like a loudspeaker frame to support and 

project the sound. 

• Make maximum effort to sell the song 

every time. Jon said the only time we 

“performed” as a chorus was in Hit The 

Road Jack. Joyously performing songs 

every time will carry over to every show 

and competition. 

Repertoire 

We must be patient in learning our new songs. It 

requires hard work. 

Some members told me that they were not happy 

with the re-introduction of old songs. Others that 

they were pleased old songs were coming back. 

Page 4 

Others that we need a lot more new songs. Others 

that we should stick to well established songs. The 

old songs were chosen for specific reasons – e.g., 

getting on stage or audience participation where 

the repertoire was lacking. The decisions were 

proved to be right. Perhaps it is time that members 

accept the decisions and just get behind them. You 

are encouraged to express your views but overt 

individual dissent after decisions are made 

damages unity and performance. 

How Bolton achieved top honours - Unity in 

achievement 

A visit by Peter Cookson to our current best 

Barbershop chorus - Bolton – highlighted the fact 

that they are no different to us except in their 

attitude. They are unified in their dedication to 

singing excellence. No-one seeks to undermine 

the efforts of the CD and the team leading the club. 

They will do craft work all evening on just 2 songs 

without complaint. Those who want to see us at the 

top but do not accept these principles need to reevaluate. 

Sonning Mill Show 

We were all very pleased with the show as was the 

manager. We are angling for a repeat. 

Westminster Show 

The major lessons to be learned from this show is 

that every time we perform we have to sell 

ourselves and closely follow the CD. We have 

been able to pay Westminster £4982.81 and the 

club made £959.81 Would you be up for inviting 

another champion chorus over here? 

The London and Slough Charity show 19 July 

According to enthusiastic comments from 

members of the audience we did well and members 

enjoyed the performance. 

Future Singouts/shows 

8-12 October Lake Garda Italy 

16 October Wisley 

20 December Christmas Show Maidenhead – 

Andy Pearce is getting on with the planning of the 

show. 



MUSIC FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION 

LAKE GARDA Italy 8-12 October 2009 

The songs are Fields of Gold, Lady Madonna, 

Happy Together, Can You Feel The Love. 

I am pressing for confirmation of the hotel(s) and 

programme. 

20 September BABS Barbershop Awareness 

Week Show. 

Barbershop’s own Sunday night at the London 

Palladium will take place on the 20th September 

2009 with over 2000 seats. 

The Palladium Box Office is at Telephone: 0844 

412 4657 www.seetickets.com 

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO 

RAISE WITH THE EXECUTIVE please speak to 

the chairman or an executive member. Raise any 

music issues with Rhi and Brian. (Next Exec 

RBHC Executive Committee Meeting to be held 

on Monday 17 August 09, 7.30pm 

RICHARD LEATHEM 

Chairman 

***************************************** 

The show starts at 4.00pm to give everyone a 

chance to get home at a reasonable time. Come and 

be part of what will be a memorable event. 

Taking part will be: 

BABS 2009 Chorus Champions 

The Cheshire Chord Company 

Lace City Singers 

BABS 2009 Quartet Champions 

Pitch Invasion & After Hours 

BQC Chorus 

Monkey Magic 

NoteOrious 

Eu4ia 

Convention 2009 RBHC Coach. 

Derek did well suggesting the coach and has been 

able to pay the balance of £130 to the Berkshire 

Cancer Centre Charity 

Resumed 2008 AGM 

Notice (with documents) was issued on Tuesday 

28 July for the resumed AGM on 18 August. The 

delay was related to charity status and finalising 

the accounts. 

EGM/AGM 2009 

Notice will shortly be issued. Please think about 

nominations for Executive Committee posts. 

BABS Autumn Council Meeting 

Saturday 5 September 11am NEC Birmingham 

Bob and I are going as our voting representatives 

and Graham as an interested observer. 

EDITORIAL 

Slim pickings this month I’m afraid but what we 

have will hopefully keep you enthralled. Shame on 

me for missing our thirty-fifth birthday last month 

but I hope a reprint of Geoff Sassés Celebration 

meal is small compensation. see page 22. 

Richard hasn’t held back this month and there’s 

some tough talking in his offering. Thank you to 

Haydn Adams and Mike and Gabi McKeown for 

their regular contributions. And to Haydn my 

apologies for getting two deadline dates for this 

issue. I’ve collected all the bits of copy that I could 

find about Riva into one article that I hope you will 

find useful. It may answer some of those questions 

that have arisen recently until you get Richard’s 

definitive ones. I’m sticking my neck out in the 

piece I’ve written about Minor Keys. Their use and 

construction have intrigued me for a long time. I 

think I’ve cracked it now and the result may help 

others particularly since I’ve tried to score those 

extra bits we now stick on the front end of Who 

Will Buy. I’ll issue any changes that are 

considered necessary next month. 

Page 5 



What a fantastic donation we were able to make to 

the visiting Westminster Chorus. There is no doubt 

that they lit our-fire and if we ever do the same 

thing again we will be able to build on the lessons 

learnt. 

The Photocopier repair/replacement issue is still on 

the go. I’ve provided the executive with a paper 

detailing some ideas to move forward that range 

from a straight replacement machine to putting 

some colour into the printed copy. Colour copying 

is still relatively expensive albeit nowhere near the 

prohibitive cost at the time of the last machine 

change. Retaining the home print facility is still the 

most cost effective way forward compared to High 

Street pricings. 

I’ll be interested to see the results of the survey 

about a major portion of readers of Tag Rag using 

the Club website. I have mixed feelings about the 

success of such a move because it makes the 

document difficult to access by the people on the 

periphery of our activity like wives, partners, 

friends and Club visitors. I think it also acts as an 

important catalyst for the members. The big 

advantage of a paper copy is that it can sit on 

coffee tables and kitchen tops and keep those 

important people around the home informed about 

what we are doing and used as a handy reference. 

Maybe the answer is to do both – but isn’t that 

what we are doing already? 

The Daytimers visited a new Care Home in High 

Wycombe recently. The Heights now houses the 

residents of Cherry Garth that was on the other 

side of town. We visited there in March. Just nine 

of our faithful band turn up which meant we were 

almost down to half-strength but the audience and 

staff were most appreciative of our efforts. This 

new building is light-years ahead of their other 

place providing an excellent area in the large 

reception lounge to sing to the twenty-five to thirty 

members of the mixed audience. We were able to 

try out singing the whole performance without a 

director. That was thanks to Alex who gave his full 

attention to singing tenor. 

Imagine us warming up in the bottom of a stair 

well in this new home. We hadn’t been singing for 

long when John Shackleford left our ranks to press 

the button on the security locked door to let in a 

Page 6 

most respectably dressed lady resident. In the 

ensuing cafuffle we soon came to a halt and I 

joined John to hear what she had to say. With a 

very assured tone she advised us “that the people 

out there didn’t want us to sing too many songs”. 

When questioned about who was actually saying 

this it changed to “the people out there didn’t want 

any songs!” Before we had time to recover from 

this dent to our egos a nurse came over and 

forcibly instructed the lady to return to her seat, 

which she thankfully did. 

It was nice to see Jon Conway at the Club and he 

shared a lot of his knowledge with us, and I hope 

we can take advantage of it. Jon has been a 

significant force in BABS and Barbershop for a 

fair old time and is a very able musician and 

chorus director. He shares the directing role with 

Mike Taylor for the Chorus at the BABS Harmony 

College. I learned from both Rhiannon and Jon 

that Mike Taylor and Paula Williams were married 

that previous weekend. Let’s wish them a happy 

and harmonious future together. Next time we see 

Mike perhaps he’ll be bring Paula along with him. 

Our thanks should go to the Piggott School 

caretaker and his assistants for bringing their hall 

floor cleaning schedule forward so that we can 

leave the risers up between rehearsals. If you get 

the opportunity to say thank you please do. The 

portable classroom work is progressing nicely. I’ve 

been visiting frequently to monitor the progress – 

too frequently according to Irene. At the time of 

writing all the foundation pillars are in place and it 

can’t be long before the buildings arrive. I’ve been 

amazed at the slope on this site. I thought it was a 

level parking area having parked the van on it so 

often over the years. 

Harmony College now looms on the horizon. We 

have a goodly number of Club members attending 

with me. 

Martin Ford 

Phil Paine 

Richard Leathem 

Ian McDonald 

Les Hearn 

Brian Callaghan 

Ed Cox 

Neil Horchover 



Let’s spare a thought for Neil who tells me his 

house was burgled while he and his wife were on 

holiday recently and this may affect his attendance. 

GRAHAM STARKIE 

Editor 

***************************************** 

RIVA - COLLECTED BITS 

I’ve been through all the paperwork I’ve seen 

about the trip to RIVA DEL GARDA and culled 

the following bits that you may find useful. I’m 

not claiming that it’s complete but it will be a good 

pool of reference for the time being. After the 

latest list of travellers the information is in a time 

sequence starting with Richard’s announcement 

dated 5 th May. All references are dated – shown in 

parenthesis at the top of each item. 

RIVA TRAVELLERS 

Our party consists of thirty-five chorus members 

and twenty-three friends/partners. 

Adams Ron 

Ayres Michael 

Bradley Chris 

Callaghan Brian 

Charman Julian 

Chisholm Derek 

Clark Mervyn 

Colquhoun George 

Downing Murray 

Evans Gary 

Hill Alan 

Howard Barry 

Laight Simon 

Leathem Richard 

McDonald Ian 

McKeown Mike 

Milbank Brian 

Mills Ken 

Oliver Chris 

Owens-Hall Rhiannon 

Pearce Andrew 

Perridge Pat 

Porter James 

Poulter Mike 

Price John 

Pugh Clive 

Ridley Robert 

Irene 

Stella 

Debbie 

Marge 

Rosalie 

Janet 

Margaret 

Ros 

Caroline 

Davina 

Christine 

Marjorie 

Gabi 

Heather 

Whitney 

Lynda 

Daphne 

Jean 

Page 7 

Rzysko Andy 

Scott Maurice 

Sheen Malcolm 

Starkie Graham 

Thatcher Colin 

Ward Phillip 

Wilkinson Roger 

Wills Barry 

Wright Ray 

Doreen 

Non-singing 

Irene 

Shirley 

Pam 

(May 5) 

TVC AT LAKE GARDA ITALY 8-12 

OCTOBER 

I (Richard Leathem) have submitted lots of 

possible competitions over the last few months but 

it was only last weekend, I discovered this Festival 

and the performance Committee approved it. As 

agreed on Tuesday, application has been made 

(and acknowledged) for us to sing in the popular 

song competition at the festival at Riva Del Garda 

- Lake Garda, Italy. http://www.musicamundi.com/events/competitions/italy/incanto2009. 

html. Over 30 (Club) members indicated they 

would like to go and I have taken a guess at 14 

partners accompanying us. I have had our 

application acknowledged. I am pressing for the 

accommodation package price having selected 

standard accommodation (not first class). I have 

said we cannot commit without that figure. They 

can arrange a coach from the airport and there are 

a selection of airports, the nearest being Verona. 

(15 June) 

RIVA DELA GARDA 

The town at the top of Lake Garda 

THURSDAY 8TH OCTOBER – MONDAY 12th 

OCTOBER 2009 

(4 nights half board) 

Organise by 



COMPETITIONS – Folk, Religious Jazz, 

Popular. Mixed, Male, Female, Youth and 

children’s choirs 

Our section is P2 – Pop – Modern (Choral works 

from the area of modern popular music styles) as 

at 15 June there are 6 choirs entered. 

Number of singers is unlimited. We can sing 

pieces 4 with a maximum duration of 15 minutes 

(pure singing time). In the last event 2 years ago – 

the winners included choirs from all over Europe, 

Russia, China and Korea. 

PRELIMINARY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE 

THURSDAY, 

Arrival (or already on Wednesday) (We are 

booked in for thurs night & evening meal) 

Stage Rehearsal 

Choir Parade through the city 

Opening Ceremony 

FRIDAY 


Competitions all day 

Encounter Concerts 

Music Contact, Conductors’ Meeting 

Day of encounters and international folklore 

Opportunity for sightseeing-tours if no competition 

performances are scheduled 

SATURDAY 




Music Contact, Conductors’ Meeting 

Day of encounters and Jazz-Pop-Gospel Highlights 



SUNDAY 



Evening: 

Grand Prix Competition and Award Ceremony 



MONDAY 

Departure (or Prolongation) 

Opportunity for sightseeing-tours 

RIVA AND OPTIONAL DAY TRIPS 

Riva del Garda is one of the largest towns on Lake 

Garda but still has loads of character and a 

beautiful lake front. The views down the lake from 

here are stunning and the backdrop of the huge, 

almost vertical, mountains give a very dramatic 

feel to Riva. The one downside we noticed in 

staying here was that the amount of evening sun 

you get is cut down because of the mountains 

being so big and close to the town. Loads of good 

shops and a large harbour. 

Day excursions will be available. The following 

list appeared in the promoter’s information sheet. 

You will be advised of their availability in due 

course. 

Day trip Verona 

Day trip Verona und Mantova 

Round trip Lake Garda 

Day trip Dolomites 

Day trip Florence 

Day trip Venice 

ALTERNATIVELY you can travel on a bus, boat 

or coach trip of your own. Riva has a major port 

and you can easily jump on a boat to different parts 

of the lake. Buses go as far as Verona. 

LOCAL Lake Garda Buses 

Upon arrival at Lake Garda, most people like to 

travel around the lake to explore some of the 

wonderful towns. The local buses are the cheapest 

way to get around the lake. You can get buses to 

other towns and cities in the area as well AND 

from some of the airports to towns on the Lake. 

Lake Garda buses. 

(Jun 23) 

CHAIRMAN’S SPOT) 

3. Lake Garda - Bookings are still open for the 

Lake Garda 4 day visit to Riva Del Garda for the 

choirs’ competition at £300 each including half 

board accommodation. Please phone me on 

01189477448 or by email. 

There has been some confusion over dates. The 

organiser apologised. This is because the dates on 

their web site were wrong. Therefore anyone 

looking at the web site may be misled. The dates 

Page 8 



of the competition are Thursday 8th October to 

Monday 12th October. Thursday starts with a 

parade, Sunday is prizes and Monday return home. 

Rod and I were working on flights and I was 

arranging a coach from the airport. . Graham has 

proposed an alternative coach trip. I will be 

incorporating details into my second edition of the 

briefing. I am awaiting quotes from agents 

experienced in this route and booking for choirs 

through air and coach. I have to put the options to 

the club and agree the transport and outline 

itinerary. The urgent matters are to ensure 

everyone has had the chance to go, finalise the 

numbers, book the transport, ensure all are booked 

into accommodation, confirm the song choice and 

decide on whether or not we enter a second 

category - religious music. 


leathem@btinternet.com. 

Event information: http://www.musicamundi.com/events/competitions/italy/incanto2009. 

html 

(Jul 7 & Jul 14) 

RIVA DEL GARDA 8-12 October 2009 

The cost remains guaranteed and fixed by me at 

£300 per person*. This includes travel from 

Gatwick both ways to Riva on Lake Garda, 

breakfast and evening meal. All you should need 

to pay for are your lunches and whatever else you 

choose. The festival and accommodation are 

booked and in part paid up. Rod can tell you about 

the place because he has just come back from 

there. 

The outward flight requires you to be at Gatwick 

by 5.20 am on Thursday. This gets us to Milan at 

10.10. The alternative is to arrive late and 

probably miss dinner. The best return flight is in 

the evening on Monday. Outbound: EZY5291 

08OCT Th LGWMXP 0720/1010 Inbound: 

EZY5298 12OCT Mo MXPLGW 2125/2220. 

These flights give us the maximum time there. 

Anyone who signed up but wants to opt out or 

have other flights let me know ASAP please. 

*Why “fixed cost”? On each of the occasions of 

Convention, the social at the Mill at Aldermaston 

Page 9 

and this trip, one or more members have said that 

they cannot afford to attend. In order to make 

events available to as many as possible, I have 

limited the cost. This has been my personal 

commitment to ensure that good events happen, 

that the cost is minimized so as to be open to more 

people and that we have a successful and inclusive 

club. With Convention, the club has provided 

assistance based on means. 

TRAVEL TIMES FROM AIRPORTS 

To Riva Del Garda - 2hrs 27minutes from Milan 

(Aug 11) 

RIVA TRIP 

Please ensure that you have paid your £300 per 

head to Ken ASAP. Also if you have not yet sent 

your passport information (number and full name) 

to Richard Leathem 

***************************************** 

BARBERSHOP BABES 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE 

AUGUST QUINTET 

MIKE AYRES 

SEAN O’SHEA 

BARRY WILLS 

PHILIP WILSON 

DENIS WRIGHT 

Editor’s Note – I’ve missed the chance to check this list 

with Ken and he’s away on holiday now so my fingers 

are crossed that the list is complete. 

***************************************** 



THANK YOU 

This is a short, belated thank you and 

congratulations to everyone for the concert with 

the Westminster Chorus on 8 th July. It felt weird 

being on the ‘receiving’ end of the chorus – 

probably only the second concert I have been to 

where I have been listening rather than singing. 

You have to know you were really good – I 

thought the entertainment value shone through, 

with a great mix of songs. 

The moving forward on the song ‘Do You Hear 

The People Sing’ is really effective. In fact a bit 

more animation would help to make it even more 

effective – less of a stroll forward more of a 

demonstration anger. 

One thing I did notice particularly was the newer 

members of the choir – I knew who you were 

because I know the faces I did not recognise from 

my year away, but I am sure the audience would 

not have known the difference you have obviously 

learnt the words and moves well. A special 

congratulations to you all. 

PLEASE TELL ME... 

There are now two ‘twidleys’ at the start of WHO 

WILL BUY. They are known as arpeggios in 

musical circles (notes played/sung consecutively). 

The bell chord establishes a firm minor feeling 

around the tonal centre for the start of the song and 

the bass run provides a good rhythmic driver from 

the ‘fifth’. That’s 5, 6 and 7 of the scale to hit the 

tonal centre on the word Who. In this case it’s an 

F. 

So what’s special about that? Nothing - is the easy 

answer unless you have an inquiring mind or you 

may know your music theory so well you just take 

it in your stride. Hopefully we’ll all learn to sing 

the notes by rote and we’ll never need to look any 

deeper. 

In this dissertation I use the more common Major 

scale to explain the features of the Minor. I assume 

that you are already aware that a musical scale is 

not an evenly spaced set of notes. You’ll have 

noticed that when you saw a piano keyboard. That 

pattern of half tones and tones is most important. 

For those of you I have not spoken to recently up 

here in Newcastle I sing with a new chorus called 

‘Peers of Harmony’ that have been in existence for 

just 18 months now. There are about 20 in the 

choir. Those of you that have only been in large 

choir do not realise how lucky you are. For 

example, we have been short of tenors, so the 

chorus director’s wife is one of the 2 tenors 

(though a couple of others are trying to switch to 

tenor) and at the other week’s practice I was the 

only bass in a choir of 15 (though again others are 

starting to learn bass for some of the songs). So 

realise how fortunate you are and make the most of 

it! 

www.peersofharmony.com 

If you are ever up this way come and join us! 

H’away the lads! 

Your geordie reporter 

IAN MCCANN 

PS. I am reminding myself of the repertoire so I 

can join with those of you that are coming to 

Harmony College. See you there! 

***************************************** 

Page 10 

Thanks to your old friend Pythagoras and his 

understanding of the octave Greek names were 

used for scales which were known as Modes at that 

time. Each Mode had two half tone intervals mixed 

with the tones and it was the position of the half 

tones within the octave that made the difference. 

The following list of the Greek names that were 

used, it may awaken your memory: Aeolian, 

Mixo-lydian, Lydian, Phrygian, Dorian and Ionian. 

When a composer requires an antique flavour to a 

piece of music all but the Ionian Mode is used 

even today. The Ionian Mode however had a 

special status. It was ‘despised and used only for 

secular and common purpose’ sic. So I bet you’re 

ahead of me here - it became our modern Major 

Scale! 

Look at the sequence of notes of the Ionian mode 

or modern Major scale shown in figure 1. Notice 

that the eight notes are divided into two identical 

groups of four. These groups are known as 

tetrachords. The lower group has the notes 1, 2, 3 

and 4 and the upper one has 5, 6, 7 and 8. In the 

modern major scale the notes are tones apart 

except for the last two notes in the Tetrachords 



where they are half tones. That’s between 3 and 4 

and 7 and 8. The notes are shown closer together 

in the figure to indicate that fact. There is one tone 

between the two Tetrachords. 

Figure 1 – The Major Scale of Ab 

The Major scale that has four flats (black notes) in 

it would have a home of Ab to get the right 

combination of tones and half tones. This same set 

of four flats can be used in what is known as a 

Minor scale but the tones and half tones are 

arranged differently and that’s achieved by moving 

Home from Ab to the F. A minor scale that uses 

the same notes as a major scale is known as the 

Relative Minor scale. All Major keys have 

Relative Minors and for that reason the score of a 

song in a minor key looks just the same at first 

glance and can easily mislead. Most Barbershop 

singers can remember the common major key 

signatures off by heart; two flats – Bb, three flats – 

Eb and four-flats the key of Ab. But, beware the 

relative minor! 

Although this disposition of the notes gave the 

right feel, ‘modern’ ears wanted to retain the 

semitone shift up to the tonic from the seventh. 

That’s the familiar going-home feeling from Te – 

Do. This has led to the seventh being raised to 

meet the need so there are three semitones between 

(6) and (7) in the minor scale! The correct name 

for this scale is the Harmonic Minor. The seventh 

has a natural sign in front of it to show that the 

flattened note of the key signature is raised by half 

a tone. 

The Harmonic Minor scale is used today but that 

elevated seventh made it sound too much like a 

major scale when coming down it so its sibling the 

Melodic Minor scale was borne! That uses the 

raised note when going up the scale and the unshifted 

one coming down. Well dang my hide, 

what has that got to do with the price of fish? 

Figures 3 and 4 show the bits of score that are 

missing from your score. Together they are a good 

example of the Melodic Minor scale in action. 

It is normal in a Barbershop arrangement for the 

chords in the first (full) bar of the song to firmly 

establish the tonal centre and the first bass note is 

usually the give-away. In Who Will Buy it’s an F 

so the key of Fm is suggested. This is best 

confirmed by looking at the last note that the 

basses sing. In this case it’s an F#, not exactly the 

same but the new tonic after the key change 

around bar 59 pushed it up half a tone. The song 

ends in the key of F# Minor. 

The archaic feeling created by Aeolian Mode is 

used as the basis of our modern Minor scale. Look 

at Figure 2 to see the semitones between 2 to 3 and 

5 to 6. 

Figure 3 – The Bell chord notes 

In the bell chord the interval between the first and 

second notes sung is that full tone moving 

downward from the tonic. This bell chord has been 

with us in a dusty corner a long time. On it’s own 

it’s a good exercise to give someone their first 

physical experience from singing. Make sure that 

you can easily repeat it and then ask whoever is 

singing that bari part to move up half a tone once 

the final chord is established. That minor to major 

shift is guaranteed to get a reaction. 

Figure 2 – The Harmonic Minor Scale of F 

Page 11 



Figure 4 – The Bass Arpeggio 

The basses rising arpeggio shown in figure 4 uses 

the notes C, Db and E. Look at that again - that’s 

one-semitone between C and Db, three semitones 

between Db and E and one-semitone to the tonic F. 

That’s an example of the other position for the 

seventh in an upward moving scale. 

If you want a simple exercise to let you sample the 

difference between the first three notes of the 

Major and Minor scales try comparing two short 

arpeggios. Sing the first three notes of a major 

scale using tonic sol fah - Do, Re, Mi then repeat it 

and when you are singing the Mi for the second 

time turn it into a Ma. The changed vowel on the 

third note helps flatten the interval between the last 

two notes to create that minor feel. That interval 

from Do to Ma is the minor third we get frequently 

requests to sing. Note the ease by which the vowel 

helped you to modify the pitch. That’s another 

reason why it’s most important that you sing the 

‘corporate’ vowels. 

Graham Starkie 

***************************************** 

Bob Ridley visited Ron and Stella on 5 August and 

had a long chat with them. Newbury Social 

Services had just sent a man to check out Ron's 

wheelchair and with a bolt or two changed it will 

still be serviceable. Bob mentioned he had 

been attacking some garden weeds recently and 

Ron said they have a plan for him to be able to do 

a bit of hoeing in his garden borders from his 

wheelchair when they obtain a telescopic gadget. 

Ron had been so proud of his plants and shrubs in 

Reading and a neighbour had just reported that the 

new owners had dug everything up and replaced 

with wall to wall grass! Both Ron and Stella are 

well and interested in the activities of the Club and 

news from the AMs. 

Our dear friend Robin Nichols sent a cheeky photo 

to test my “German” sense of humour –What 

humour you might say? Of course I’ll share it with 

all of you; It’s a rare photo of the 1940 Tour de 

France printed on page 20 

Thanks, Larry (Hurst), for your feedback regarding 

the web link to the latest TagRag issue. I 

forwarded your email to TVC’s webmaster to have 

the web link checked. I can reassure you that I 

won’t refer to the older issues any longer. By the 

way, TVC did a wonderful performance to warm 

up the audience for the Westminster Chorus – even 

the long term supporters were thrilled as it was so 

exciting. 

Alan (Rogers), good to hear from you and that you 

are enjoying your retirement. You sound as if you 

are very busy doing your duty as a “househusband” 

beside all your DIY jobs. Mel must be 

very pleased with you. Hope to meet up with you 

and Mel in the near future. We’re looking forward 

to receiving your renewal letter. 

ASSOCIATE MEMBER NEWS 

By GABI & MIKE McKEOWN Acting Assistants 

to the Associate Member Coordinator 

Thanks Bert (Josey), for popping in for a visit at 

TVC’s rehearsal, and thanks for renewing your 

membership. 

Ernie Hughes decided to cease his membership – 

it’s with regret we lose you as an AM. Thank you 

very much for your loyal support over a period of 

20 years. 

Ian (McCann), thanks for your letter and your 

enclosed cheque for your AM; of course it would 

Page 12 



have been great to keep you as an active member 

but work commitments have priority. Therefore 

we’re very grateful that you’ll stay in touch as AM 

and hopefully one day you might be back on the 

risers with your TVC friends. Keep enjoying your 

life in Newcastle Upon Tyne; I’m sure you’re of 

great benefit for the small choir you’ve joined. 

Please come to see TVC whenever you’re “down 

south” with some time to spare. Also, a big thank 

you for picking up TagRag from the web in the 

future. 

Using Ron’s unique way at the end of his monthly 

AM News: “... and that’s all for now, my 

lovelies...” 

TagRag is available on our website 

www.tvchorus.co.uk, thanks to the efforts of 

Lawrence McNulty and Graham Starkie. The link 

is half way down the About TV Chorus page and 

access does not require a password. 

Unfortunately the Club printer on which Graham 

Starkie prints TagRag has just broken down. 

Repairs and replacements are being assessed. 

If you have access to the Club website 

www.tvchorus.co.uk/tagrag.html via internet and 

you can read TagRag there in colour it would be 

appreciated very much by the Club Executive if 

you could take TagRag from the website. 

Please let me/us know if you would be willing to 

accept the modern way of distribution. Any 

Members, Associate Members and Honorary 

Members that do not have access to the web will 

continue to receive a personal Black and White 

printed copy of Tag Rag. 

ASSOCIATE MEMBER LETTERS/EMAILS 

Larry Hurst 

Thanks once again, Gabi & Mike, for the online 

link to TAGRAG. Interestingly, it was to the May 

edition rather than the latest one. I say 'interesting' 

because that's what it was, being able to read the 

pre- and post- convention comments straight off, 

aspirations then perspirations, which I'd never have 

thought of doing before. And then reading about 

the Westminster Chorus concert and noting once 

again how TVC can put on a rave performance 

Page 13 

when the front row is yer actual audience rather 

than a line of executioners. Finally, it's nice to see 

ancient words still popping up, like Gerry and 

Holland. I hope to get to the International in 

Philadelphia next year, so will look forward to 

meeting a few more fellow words, face to 

whiskers. Bruce, you'll be there after all; for the 

gold I'm sure. Best to all - Larry 

Alan Rogers 

Dear Mike and Gabi 

Thanks so much for the reminder about my AM 

subs., which I shall renew in the next few days. It's 

good to hear that Ron is comfortable in his current 

situation and still taking an active interest in the 

Club. I get snippets of news (apart from TAG 

RAG) as I seem to bump into Graham and Irene in 

the supermarket quite a lot. Maybe we pensioners 

all go at the same time! Retirement is a myth, by 

the way. I am filling my time more than 

adequately, renewing my interest in DIY and 

woodwork, fettling our boat (we now have a 50% 

share in a boat moored on the south coast) and 

keeping up with everyday life as a "househusband". 

Hope you two are fit and well also 

Regards 

Ernie Hughes 

Thank you for your letter of 23 July enclosed with 

the latest TagRag. All good things come to an end 

sometime and it is with some regret that I feel it is 

time to cease my Associate Membership of the 

Club – which has continued now for 20 years. You 

may remember, Mike, that it is all of that time ago 

that you took over from me as Treasurer. I was a 

member of the chorus for 2 or3 years and it was a 

pleasure and a privilege to have been a part of such 

an upbeat and successful enterprise. I have always 

loved the melodies and lyrics of the best popular 

songs, many of which are in the Barbershop 

repertoire. Boundless enthusiasm and hard work 

are needed to maintain the success of the chorus 

and there is no better example of the spirit of 

Barbershop than Ron Collis. It is encouraging to 

hear that he is making good progress and in touch 

with developments. 

Best wishes to the chorus for the future and I hope 

that it will soon secure that elusive first place at 

Convention. 

Yours sincerely 



Ian McCann 

Dear Ron, 

I enclose my cheque for another year of Associate 

membership. I think most people know that I am 

currently based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, but still 

have my house in Wokingham so am still a regular 

visitor “down south”. 

Mum whom we lost to cancer last September. I 

power-walked round the course with our 17 year 

old daughter Laura in 54 minutes. Our 12 year old 

Hannah and James’s Mum (who’s older than 

almost all of you guys!) were about 10 minutes 

behind us. We had a fantastic day, the weather 

held out and we all came away on a real high. 

I am certainly enjoying the life up here, being in 

the centre of the city, but able to get to the Upper 

Tyne, the Northumbria National Park and the 

Border country all within an hour or so. 

The choir up here is small – just over 20 – so that 

has its challenges and opportunities. It is good to 

be here whilst they are growing. For a long time I 

was one of 3 basses, so that in itself could be a 

challenge, though recently a few others are starting 

to learn bass, but as they’re new singers it is very 

difficult for them. 

Living just across the river from the international 

concert venue – The Sage in Gateshead meant a 

few weeks ago I was able to attend the Sweet 

Adelines Convention evening concert – their 

“concert of champions”. It wasn’t quite as well 

supported as I thought it might be – but there was 

certainly plenty of enthusiasm and applause from 

everyone. It was great to see the top quartets and 

Choruses, and the standard was excellent. 

I am pleased to hear you are getting on reasonably 

well, and still involved. 

All the best 

PS. Can you let Mike and Gabi know that I use the 

internet a lot, so there is no need to send me a copy 

of the TagRag any more as I look at it online 

(though sometimes I need a prompt to remind me 

it is available). This will save on postage and 

production costs. 

***************************************** 

SELECTED WEEKLY NOTICES 

RACE FOR LIFE (21 Jul) 

A Thank you from Carina Porter: 

I have just completed the ‘Race For Life’, an 

annual 5k run for women in aid of Cancer 

Research UK. I was taking part in memory of my 

Page 14 

I wanted to thank you for your fantastically 

generous sponsorship which has helped make this 

a really worthwhile fundraiser for a charity most of 

us hold dear. Between the four of us we will have 

raised well over £600 and you guys amassed the 

amazing total of £171 (which will be worth even 

more due to Gift Aid) for which I thank you so 

much! 

Carina xx 

JON CONWAY (28 Jul) 

Advance notice. On August 4th we have Jon 

Conway coming to visit us. Those of you who 

have attended Harmony College any time in the 

last 10 years will have met him running the chorus 

stream. He has been in a gold-medal quartet, and is 

qualified as the practitioner of the Estelle method 

of singing. We need to maintain our singing 

improvement and Jon is able to make Tuesday 

evenings. This will be helpful for those members 

who can't make some weekends and also saves the 

club the expense of hiring an additional rehearsal 

room. 

SHOWS IN LATE JUNE & JULY (28 Jul) 

My sincere thanks to Ed Deacon who did such a 

magnificent job for us at Sonning and Reading. I 

think we both worked very well together and had 

the majority of issues buttoned down. 

A vote of many thanks to Rhi for all her hard work 

and patience over the stacking IN Sonning and 

taking us through a very good sing at the start of 

the Westminster show. 

More thanks, to Graham for standing in for me at 

the tech rehearsal at Eton. I was supporting 

my daughter Kate who was on the afternoon 

Cancer Research Race for Life in Reading. I think 

we did a good job on the night, and Brian was very 

correct in that I have heard several members say 

that they thought they were singing a solo, could 

not hear the people around them! 



We are now starting the planning for the Christmas 

show. There is a draft show list being discussed 

but I would welcome suggestions (those that can 

be done on the stage and in public Willsy!) 

We also have the RHS show in October to think 

about as well, but that is more a singout. 

Yours in Harmony 

Andy Pearce 

PVI (28 Jul) 

Personal Vocal Improvement (or Instruction). 

The attached programme shows the proposed 

schedule of PVI coaching sessions from now until 

the end of September. The intention is that all 

chorus members will have had at least one PVI 

coaching session before the end of September. 

Please make a note of the date of your coaching 

session. The PVI sessions commence at 7pm. The 

early start time is to enable the PVI session to be 

undertaken without any disturbance to the 

evening's rehearsal. If you are unable to commit to 

the scheduled date please arrange a swap with 

another chorus member and let your coach know 

of the change. 

If you have not yet had a PVI session and cannot 

see your name on the attached Schedule please let 

me know. 

The Question & Answer sheet on PVI was 

reproduced in the June Tag Rag. 

Philip Paine 

(Foot note from Craig – I had a PVI session with 

Chris last week and want to share with you all the 

surprise I received: Having been ‘forced’ onto 

front row, I was given advice to open my mouth 

more when singing (thanks Gabi) and her later 

feedback said that I was. However, to my surprise 

my PVI session proved I needed to open my mouth 

even wider to enable a more pure sound to 

resonate from me. Yes, it feels uncomfortable but I 

know that’ll go and it’ll be worth it because the 

difference in sound was amazing. So use these 

sessions to your advantage because in the 

relatively safe environment of singing in amongst 

our colleagues we can’t fully appreciate when 

individual improvement is needed). 

Page 15 

EVENING PROGRAMME (4 Aug) 

This is a reminder that we have Jon Conway 

coming to see us on Tuesday. Please bring your 

name badges, and arrive before 7:45 so he is not 

interrupted by late comers. You know who you 

are! 

It is the first of 3 planned coaching sessions in the 

next 2 months. This is an on- going commitment 

from your Performance Team to increase TVC's 

singing standard. The lessons learned here will be 

applicable for all songs and for all engagements, 

from Daytimers to Convention to our own shows. 

Please make every effort to be there, and feel free 

to bring your own voice recorders and notepads to 

make your own personal notes on. 

Brian Milbank 

CHRISTMAS SHOW (4 Aug) 

We are now starting the planning for the Christmas 

show. There is a draft show list being discussed 

but I (Andy Pearce) would welcome suggestions. 

CREWS CONTROL (4 Aug) 

Barry Howard got together a party to join Captain 

Roger Wilkinson on his boat recently and he 

highly recommends this. Roger is happy to offer 

this experience even if most of the group are non 

members so get together a group of your friends. 

This is Roger’s contribution to a fund raising 

campaign for TVC. He is offering a two hour 

cruise on his boat Crews Control, from 

Maidenhead. Cruises will be from 10.30-2.30 and 

2.30 pm to 4.30 pm and will cost £10 per person. 

(A definite bargain price!!) Refreshments will be 

provided but bring your own champagne, Pimms 

etc 

Get together a party of 8 people for one of the 

following dates in September 4th, 5th, 6th 11th , 

12th and 13th (am only) 

Book with Captain Roger and pray for good 

weather. All proceeds to TVC. Sensible shoes and 

mobile phone numbers will be required. For 

bookings, call petty officer Chrissie on 01628 

626501. 



RIVA TRIP (11 Aug) 

Please ensure that you have paid your £300 per 

head to Ken ASAP. Also if you have not yet sent 

your passport information (number and full name) 

to Richard Leathem 

BARBECUE (11 Aug) 

Please be ready to book for the club barbecue on 

Sunday 23 August. Families welcome. There 

will be a super spread for your Sunday lunch and 

singing and games. There will be two important 

presentations. The intention of these social events 

is to contribute to the cost of the trip to Riva. 


***************************************** 

HISTORICAL NOTES 

5 Years Ago August 2004 

5 th Daytimers at West Oak Nursing Home, 

Wokingham. 

13 th Small Chorus at Thame Methodist Church. 

19 th Daytimers at Kennet Court, Wokingham. 

28 th Small Chorus at a 70 th birthday party at 

Longparish near Basingstoke. 

On the same day Rockaholix (Roger Wilkinson, 

Alan Hill, Brian Callaghan, Chris Oliver) were 

wedding singers at Grand Conservatory, Sion 

House, Middlesex. 

Current repertoire: 

At The Hop 

Beach Boys medley 

Birth Of The Blues 

Brother Can You Spare A Dime 

Page 16 

Ghost Riders In the Sky 

I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel To Be Free 

If I Give My Heart To You 

The Impossible Dream 

Lady Madonna 

Lover Come Back Back To Me 

Make ‘em Laugh 

Singing In The Rain 

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes 

Softly As I Leave You 

Sound Celebration 

Swing Low Sweet Chariot 

Troyte’s Chant (Sunset Poem) 

Wonderful Day medley 

Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart 


Side By Side (Roger Wilkinson, Ken Smyth, Rod 

Adams, Chris Oliver) sang to an Air Canada pilot 

on the flight deck at 36000ft over Anaheim, 

California. 


With most of the chorus taking a vacation there 

was little activity other than the weekly rehearsal. 


Current repertoire: 

Carolina In The Morning 

Showboat Came To Town 

Battle Hymn of the Republic 

Coney Island Medley 

Jazz Came Up The River 

Swanee 

Dear Old Mammy 

Do-Wacka-Do 

We’ll Meet Again 

Keep Your Sunnyside Up 

Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye 


22 nd Lakeside Country Club, Frimley 

We went along to see the American quartet ‘The 

Most Happy Fellows’ with their famous Wizard of 

Oz routine. We had a 25% interest in the show, 

Guildford club did the organising and we sold the 

tickets. 




4 th Full Chorus at Caversham Court, Reading 

An outdoor function with the Mayor of Reading 

present, and we only had 13 on the risers. 

28 th Full Chorus at the Borough Arms, Reading 

We sang for the new landlords Mike & Val 

Gosdon. Thereafter, this venue, opposite our 

rehearsal hall at Huntley & Palmers was to become 

our regular meeting place until it was demolished 

for re-development of the area. 

HAYDN ADAMS 

***************************************** 

SUPPORTERS. 

Congratulations to Carina Porter on completing the 

“Race For Life” 5k run – and to all the family. 

What an achievement. Well done to you all. 

I am courgetted out – I know there is no such word 

as there is a heavy red line under it. However I am 

sure everyone who grows their own vegetables 

knows just what I mean. I don’t in fact grow my 

own but our son has, much to our amazement, 

become the proud user of a very large allotment 

right behind his house. He has become a growyour-own 

fanatic and consequently we are 

benefitting greatly with constant supplies of 

yummy potatoes, carrots, all varieties of beans, 

beetroot, squash, tomatoes, onions, peas, corn etc... 

Oh, but unfortunately he grew too many courgette 

plants. So, I was called upon to use them. If 

anyone out there is interested in recipes for 

courgette and pea soup, pizza, oven ratatouille etc., 

I am the font of knowledge! I must admit it is 

great to have such a constant supply of freshly 

grown organic vegetables and I wish I had a 

garden large enough to grow my own because 

Page 17 

there is no doubt in my mind that not only are the 

vegetables delicious they have got to be more 

healthy without chemicals sprayed on them. I 

must add at this point that I have helped on the 

allotment and Graham also helped build a 

greenhouse and supply a shed (thanks to John 

Shackleford and Phil Stewart). 

I read in the London Evening Standard last week 

that “Beetroot is the new health veg; low in 

calories, will help you detox and is even good for 

stamina”. Personally I adore it and when I read 

“The high volume of soluble fibre found in 

beetroot feeds the good bacteria in our gut, helping 

to lower harmful LDL cholesterol levels” and “It 

contains the compounds, betaine and methionine, 

that support liver detoxification. Without this 

function toxins can accumulate both in the liver 

and the body’s fatty tissues, preventing weight loss 

and contributing to sluggishness, mood swings and 

more serious illnesses”, etc. etc. I just can’t get 

enough of it! There was lots more in the article and 

if anyone is interested I will let you have a copy. 

Last year it was blueberries, this year beetroot! I 

found a chocolate cake recipe which incorporated 

beetroot and it was absolutely yummy.You 

couldn’t taste the beetroot but it certainly made a 

difference! 

As an avid supporter of RBHC I do hope the 

Executive decide to support a printed Tag Rag. 

Even though I am involved in producing it I still 

use it as a handy reference as I am sure other 

partners and wives do. I know I wouldn’t have the 

patience to sit at my laptop to consult it. Where 

will Haydn get his material from? 

Once again, I hope everyone is enjoying summer 

despite its variable weather. 

Luv’n’hugs as always, 

IRENE 

***************************************** 



Thanks to Haydn Adams, Richard Leathem, Gabi & 

Mike McKeown, James Porter, Geoff Sassé and Irene 

for supplying copy. 

Editor 

Graham Starkie 

29 Kibblewhite Crescent, Twyford 

READING RG10 9AX ENGLAND 

Tel/Ans/Fax 0118 934 5214 

Email starkie@btinternet.com 

15 August 2009 

Copy deadlines: 

15th Sep for 22nd distribution 

13th Oct for 20th distribution 

17th Nov for 24th distribution 

15th Dec for 22nd distribution 

12th Jan for 19th distribution 

***************************************** 

TAG RAG is published by the Reading 

Barbershop Harmony Club for the benefit of 

Members, Associates and anyone else who is 

fortunate or otherwise to come into contact with 

us. The opinions expressed in these pages are not 

necessarily the official Club view. 

Advertisement lineage will be accepted and 

printed free of charge in TAG RAG (subject to 

editorial discretion). Display advertising is 

available in exchange for a donation to club funds 

as agreed between the sponsor and the editor 

before the publication date. Please note that 

advertisements will be carried for two months only 

and then will be dropped (at the editor’s discretion) 

unless requested otherwise. 

Objectives of the RBHC - To encourage the 

singing and enjoyment of Barbershop Harmony in 

both Chorus and Quartet form. It is a non profit 

making organisation and shall support such 

worthy charitable causes as the Executive 

Committee think fit. 

Contacts - The Club’s Thames Valley Chorus 

rehearse on every Tuesday (with few exceptions) 

at the Piggott School Wargrave near Twyford 

Reading from 7.45pm until 10.30pm. All visitors 

are welcome. See website www.tvchorus.co.uk for 

directions. 

SECURITY NOTICE The best place to park your 

car at the Piggott School is in the main car park at 

the side of the school; this area is under constant 

surveillance by four CCTV cameras. The camera 

over the front door only looks at the main entrance 

to record movements coming off the road. 

**************************************** 

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE 

Q: How do you get two leads to sing in tune? 

A: Shoot one of them 

Q: What do you call someone who hangs around 

with singers? 

A: A baritone. 

Q: Q: How do you put a twinkle in a tenor's eye? 

A: Shine a torch in his ear. 

Q: How do you know if a lead section is at your 

front door? 

A: No one knows when to come in and they can't 

find the key. 

Q: How do you get a lead to stop singing? 

A: Give him a sheet of music. 

Q: How many Baritone jokes are there? 

A: Just one. The rest are true. 

Jasper Metro 

Page 18 


RBHC's 


50 

Pay & Play Golf at its very best on 

two beautiful 9 hole courses. 

CLUB 

Are you part of the 

action? 

Why not join in the Club's monthly draws to win you 

some pocket money and provide a regular income to 

Club funds. 

Shares are £2 each 

payable by Standing Order. 

Contact Mike McKeown next Tuesday (or 

0118 988 2530) to join. 

The Straight Mile 

Wokingham Berks RG40 5SJ 

Affordable green fees and a warm, friendly 

welcome. Open Monday to Sunday plus Bank 

Holidays. Handicap membership available. Par 3 

course ideal for novice golfers. Wednesday and 

Friday Roll Up at 8am. 

Breakfast, lunches and snacks available daily. 

Fully licensed bar. 

Telephone 01344 869259 for more details or 

book a Tee Time. 

www.billingbearpark.com 

Golden sandy beaches 

Lots of historic remains 

Relaxed nightlife 

Side (pronounced see-day) on the 

Mediterranean coast in Southern Turkey. 

DO YOU need your kitchen or bathroom refitted, or some 

tailor-made shelves to improve your living room? Call 

MAURICE SCOTT 

on 0118 934 1965 

Get your home protected with a ‘wire-less’ security 

system. Speak to Scotty now for details. 

Any sort of household jobs, large or small undertaken. 

I’m fit, fast and flexible, experienced in carpentry, tiling, 

plumbing, brickwork, etc. and thoroughly reliable 

References available. 

Two-bedroom ground floor apartment with air 

conditioning. Set in lovely gated grounds with 

24 hr security. Sleeps up to six. 

Facilities include swimming pool, fully equipped 

gym with sauna, bar/café. A short walk to local 

bars/restaurants, shops and beach. 

Airport transfers can be arranged. 

E mail: anita@surrey2420.freeserve.co.uk 

Tel 01344 489445 (Bracknell) Evenings. 

Page 19 



WESTMINTER CHORUS SHOW PHOTO 

by Stephen Jessop 

Rare photo of the 1940 

Tour de France. 

See Gabi’s Assoc News p12 

Page - 20 

Please support our Tag Rag advertisers

SONNING SHOW PHOTOS 

by Lawrence McNulty 


Page - 21 



35 TH ANNIVERSARY MEAL 

I’m sorry I missed the announcement last month but it 

was RBHC’s 35 th birthday. Ten years ago in the July 

issue of Tag Rag in 1999 things were still buzzing from 

our recent trip to Anaheim Calfornia. These recipes 

were crafted by Geeoff Sassé to ‘give a little fillip to 

those members unable to whizz over to the West Coast 

of the USA’. At that time they were billed as a Silver 

Jubilee Celebration meal. In this issue I’ve selected just 

three of the seven recipes that were offered just in case 

you’re short of an idea to celebrate the event. 

STARTER 

TRIGUEROS EN VINAGRILLO (marinated green 

asparagus tips) serves 4 people. Not cheap, but very 

quick and simple. You can't have everything! During 

the summer months asparagus tips are often sold in 

supermarkets so you don't have to pay for the tough 

white stumps at the end. Another benefit: it's all 

prepared in advance so that you have more time to 

enjoy your apéritif and the guests. 

1lb 

green asparagus tips 

8 tablespoons good olive oil 

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 

4 cloves garlic, crushed 

1 teaspoon paprika 

2 tablespoons cooking liquid 

low sodium salt 

freshly milled black pepper 

Prepare at least two hours ahead. Place the asparagus 

in a shallow pan, barely cover with water and simmer, 

covered, for between 5 and 10 minutes, until tender. 

During the cooking place the remainder of the 

ingredients in a screw top jar. When the asparagus is 

ready, remove from the heat, taking 2 tablespoons of 

the cooking liquid to add to the contents of the jar, and 

drain off the rest of the water. Replace the screw top 

and shake vigorously. Arrange the asparagus in a 

Page - 22 

Please support our Tag Rag advertisers 

shallow dish, oval for preference, and pour over the 

marinade. Leave to cool for at least 2 hours so that the 

flavours will be absorbed thoroughly. Serve with 

crusty bread to mop up the sauce. 

MAIN 

WHOLE SALMON (hot or cold) 

1 whole salmon, weighing about 5lbs 

(this is cheaper than buying separate 

steaks, looks terrific, and allows you 

scope for seconds and/or fish cakes) 

3 tablespoons white wine 

sprigs of fresh tarragon, dill, or parsley 

two bay leaves 

freshly milled black pepper 

well-oiled aluminium foil 

Get your fishmonger to clean the fish and leave the 

head on. Lay the fish in the centre of the foil, place the 

herbs, bay leaves, and seasoning inside the fish, pour 

the wine over and wrap it up carefully, ensuring that the 

ends are sealed and the edges are folded in a double 

pleat over the length. Place in the middle of the oven 

and cook for one hour, no more, at 150C/300F/Gas 

Mark 2. Let the salmon stand for 10 minutes to firm up 

before you unwrap it, if it's to be eaten hot; if cold, 

leave it to cool in the foil. Remove the skin and the 

herbs, slide off the browny parts of the flesh, just for 

the look of the thing. The head can be left on if you 

wish; it is rather handsome, but the size of your serving 

dish and the baleful eyes may make you decide 

otherwise. Hollandaise sauce is the classic 

accompaniment and is readily available from 

supermarkets in screw-top jars, and can be warmed for 

about 10 seconds in the microwave, if you are eating it 

hot. 

DESSERT 

PEACHES and BLACKBERRIES (or 

RASPBERRIES) 

Allow two peaches for each person and place them in a 

deep saucepan with cold water half way up the fruit. 

Heat gently until the water is just moving, then remove 

from the hob, cover, and leave until cool. Take out the 

peaches carefully and slide the skins off. Add four 

tablespoons of sugar to the pink liquid in the pan and 

boil for five minutes to make a syrup. Allow to cool 

and pour over the peaches. Serve with the berries and 

add cream if you wish. Why not have a cool glass of 

Sauternes at the same time? 

GEOFF THE CHEF 

*****************************************


MAKE A REAL DEAL THIS SUMMER 

SUMMER SALE NOW ON 

Speak to DAVE ELSON about your Discount Card. 

Page - 23 



THE REMAINING DAYS OF 

AUGUST 2009 


16 17 18 

Rehearsal 

2008 Resumed AGM 

TAG RAG 

DISTRIBUTION 

23 

Club 

Barbecue 

30 

BABS 

Harmony 

College Day 

3 of 3 

24 25 

Rehearsal 

31 

September 2009 calendar is on page 2 

19 20 21 22 

26 27 28 

BABS 

Harmony 

College Day 

1 of 3 

AUGUST 


29 

BABS 

Harmony 

College Day 

2 of 3 

A LOOK AHEAD TO 

OCTOBER 2009 


OCTOBER 


1 2 3 

4 5 6 

Rehearsal 

7 8 

Depart for 

Riva 

Riva day 1 

9 

Riva day 2 

10 

Riva day 3 

11 

Riva day 4 

12 

Return from 

Riva 

13 

Rehearsal 

TAG RAG 

COPY 

DEADLINE 

18 19 20 

Rehearsal 

TAG RAG 

DISTRIBUTION 

25 26 27 

Rehearsal 

14 15 16 

Afternoon 

Chorus 

singout at 

Wisley 

17 

21 22 23 24 

28 29 30 31 

Page - 24

AUGUST 2009 - Thames Valley Chorus

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