Dec 2005 - Thames Valley Chorus

READING BARBERSHOP HARMONY CLUB 

www.rbhc.org.uk DECEMBER 2005 

CONGRATULATIONS to 

RHIANNON 

RBHC BOTY 2005 

Photo by Mike McKeown 

1st November 2005 

Page - 1 

A Happy Christmas and a Harmonious New Year to all our readers.


A LOOK AHEAD TO 

JANUARY 2006 

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 

Rehearsal CD College CD College 

Coventry Coventry 

8 

CD College 

Coventry 

9 10 

LtS wk1 

Rehearsal 

TAG RAG 

COPY 

DEADLINE 

15 16 17 

LtS wk2 

Rehearsal 

TAG RAG 

DISTRIBUTION 

22 23 24 

LtS wk3 

Rehearsal 

11 12 13 14 

18 19 20 21 

25 26 27 28 

29 30 

Daytimers 

Sunninghill 

31 

LtS wk4 

Rehearsal 

January 

2006 

Calendars showing the remaining days of December 2005 and the month of February 2006 

are at the back of TAG RAG 

MORE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY * Addition/Update to last month’s TAG RAG 

DEC 12 Mon Daytimers Remenham WI 

DEC 20 Tue Rehearsal Party/Social Evening 

DEC 27 Tue NO REHEARSAL 

2006 

JAN 6/7/8 Fri-Sun Chorus Directors College Bablake School Coventry 

JAN 10 Tue LtS wk1 The Piggott School Wargrave 

JAN/FEB Tue's LtS wks2-6 The Piggott School Wargrave 

FEB 21 Tue LtS wk7 The Piggott School Wargrave 

JAN 30 Daytimers Lynwood Home Sunninghill 2.30 sing 

FEB 14 Tue Daytimers Hungerford Tuesday Club 

MAR 11/12 Sat-Sun Full Chorus Chorus Away Weekend Marsham Court Bournemouth 

MAR 15 Wed Daytimers Beenham Friendship Club Victory Hall Beenham 

MAR 31 Fri Full Chorus Caravan Club International - Sparsholt College 

Winchester 

MAY 12 Fri Daytimers+ Fawley Court Henley - Craft Experience 

MAY 19/21 Fri-Sun Full Chorus BABS Convention Harrogate 

JUL 1 Sat Full Chorus Singout at Wimborne Hants ****CONFIRMED*** 

OCT 10 Daytimers Hungerford Town Hall (tbc) 

Page - 2 

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


TAG RAG DECEMBER 2005 

CONTENTS LIST 

Page 

2 A LOOK AHEAD TO JANUARY 2006 

2 MORE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

3 PETER'S POINTS COOKSON 

3 APPOINTMENT OF PERFORMANCE TEAM LEADER COOKSON 

4 EDITORIAL STARKIE 

5 PRAGUE TRIP - NOVEMBER 2005. COOKSON 

6 PRAGUE TRIP PEARCE 

6 PROPS DEPARTMENT REPORT RIDLEY 

6 LADIES INT. CONVENTION SHIRLEY HATCHER 

7 CORRESPONDENCE 

8 HELLO FROM SANTAHOLIX CALLAGHAN 

8 BARBERSHOP BABES 

8 SELECTED WEEKLY NOTICES 

9 FROM CANADA THE TOWNERS 

11 MOBILE PHONES SECURITY BRAND 

11 ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP NEWS COLLIS 

12 ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP LETTERS 

14 HISTORICAL NOTES HAYDN ADAMS 

16 SUPPORTERS IRENE STARKIE 

20 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

NEXT COPY DEADLINE: 

10TH JANUARY FOR 17TH DISTRIBUTION 

The New Year sees the continuation of the high 

degree of Club activity with the launch of the 

“Learn to Sing” programme on Tuesday 10 th 

January. Don’t forget all the Chorus will be taking 

part in this programme of lessons – and we shall be 

singing as a mixed chorus as ladies will be 

attending. The expressions of interest are rolling in 

but please keep the promotion going to make sure 

we get a good number attending on the first evening. 

Looking further ahead there is Convention in 

Harrogate in May and sing outs booked through to 

November. In the course of the year we will also lay 

down recordings of songs to create a new CD which 

will be released in time for Xmas 2006. Finally, 

following the success of the Prague visit, we are 

investigating opportunities for a similar trip to a 

music festival towards the end of the year. 

In summary 2005 has been a good year for the Club 

and 2006 promises to be equally exciting. Once 

again I express my thanks to all for the hard work 

done to make it happen. 

Wishing you and your families a very harmonious 

Christmas. 

Oi! Get off! 

Let’s make music. 

PETER COOKSON 

Chairman 

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

APPOINTMENT OF PERFORMANCE TEAM 

LEADER 

Within the organisational structure for running 

RBHC there is an Executive post with responsibility 

for Performance. This position has responsibility 

for the vocal and visual delivery of the songs in our 

repertoire. 

PETER’S POINTS 

What a great finish to the year! A GOLD in Prague 

(see more details inside), a highly successful show 

in Maidenhead and a high profile TV spot on 

Christmas Eve with Robbie, Ant and Dec. 

The last Club event in December is the “mince pie” 

evening on Tuesday 20th. Please invite friends, 

family (and potential recruits!). During the course 

of the evening there will be an opportunity for new 

acts (for potential inclusion in future shows) to 

display their skills. This informal evening is an 

opportunity to say thank you to our loyal 

supporters. 

Page - 3 

Prior to the AGM it was reported Brian Milbank 

wished to step down from the Executive, but he is 

willing to continue with musical coaching. Julian 

Charman and Phillip Ward expressed interest in 

taking on the Executive role. Following discussions 

with Julian and Phillip it has been agreed that: 

• Phillip will focus on his role of ACD. He has 

registered for Directors College in January and 

the Club will cover his fee. There is a new 

Chorus Director accreditation system that not 

only involves attendance at the College but 

involves distance learning as well. Because of 

time commitments this is likely to prove 

demanding. 

• Julian will take on the Executive responsibility 

for “Performance” with effect from the next 

Executive meeting that is scheduled for Friday 

Jan 6th. Prior to that he will start to explore with 

Rhiannon and the vocal and visual team 

members the objectives, processes and 

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


programme to be followed by the Performance 

Team. 

Strictly this is an Executive post which requires a 

Club vote. But as we are now past the AGM and 

well into the 2005/06 year it is proposed that the 

Executive exercises its right to co-opt people to the 

Committee. We will approach the appointment 

formally at the next Club elections when both 

Phillip and Julian will have a better understanding of 

the respective roles. 

PETER COOKSON 

Chairman 

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

EDITORIAL 

Once again there's no shortage of copy for this 

month's issue. Thank you to all the contributors. I 

am particularly chuffed at the number of times our 

more distant readers have said that they like their 

monthly read of our Club's news. 

There is no standing still at the moment. The Prague 

trip went off better than anyone could have 

expected. There was never any doubt in my mind 

that it would be any different. At the first inkling of 

the idea of going to Prague Irene and I booked our 

flights for a week's holiday and if it coincided with 

the chorus going all the better. You see we'd been to 

the city a couple of years ago for a long weekend 

with our neighbourhood group and were left 

wanting a further visit. I think you'll understand 

why we felt this way if you know the city. It all went 

far too quickly. 

We could not have asked for a better contest result. 

Let's face it, Advent and Christmas music is a little 

bit outside the Barbershop genre. However 

Rhiannon's choice of music was an inspiration to us 

in the end. Even the most sceptical will have to admit 

that. The extra bit of work dealing with the different 

vocal qualities needed stretched us and will stand us 

in good stead for the future. It is nice to know that 

we are still prepared to take on new ideas. Long may 

it continue. I'll leave it to other contributors to wax 

lyrical about our Prague experience. 

The atmosphere in the Top Hotel on that awards' 

presentation night reminded me of the early days of 

BABS Conventions when sharing a song in an 

impromptu situation with other groups was the 

norm. I sincerely hope we can get a regular diet of 

these experiences. 

All credit goes to the chorus for getting swiftly out 

of that heady atmosphere of Prague and straight into 

the Desborough show which was a very satisfying 

experience. The improvement in the chorus standard 

Page - 4 

of performance vocally and visually was all there for 

the audience to see. It's a pity that the improvements 

in the Desborough's decoration and front of house 

facilities didn't extend to the technical bits on the 

stage. However that didn't stop us putting on a show 

that collected accolades from the audience members 

to whom Irene and I sold tickets. 

Now we are squeezing into the space between the 

Desborough show and Christmas an appearance on 

national TV in ITVs Ant and Dec Saturday Night 

Takeaway! This is their Christmas spectacular and 

our part in it looks to be a really good bit of fun 

albeit a lot of hard work to learn the song. The 

request was for us to sing either Winter 

Wonderland or White Christmas. That's easy stuff. 

When I learned that it would just be White 

Christmas I thought - no problem. However when I 

saw what we had to do my opinion changed. This 

opportunity to learn a whole new song that supports 

Robbie Williams singing White Christmas is 

something that we are all having to pay attention to. 

It is pleasing to see the way the chorus is buckling 

down to the job. We are getting a lot of support 

from Steve Sidwell Robbie's Musical Director and 

of course Rhiannon whose musical abilities never 

fail to amaze us. I believe we are now experiencing a 

narrow slice of the life of a session-singer. The only 

difference is that they would do it in a fraction of the 

time we'll have to spend. I wait with baited breath of 

details of the choreographic plan and I'm really 

looking forward to the TV studio trip although past 

experience tells me that there'll be a lot of waiting 

around. 

Thanks to the diligent efforts of Andy Pearce and 

the executive committee it looks as though we'll have 

a Year Book again this year. We are in the final 

stages of preparation and it is hoped that every 

member will be able to have one at the first rehearsal 

in 2006. This 2005/6 edition has grown to 36 pages 

from the 24 pages of 2003/4. The additional pages 

are due to the inclusion of two new sections. One 

contains a model of the Club organisation that 

includes a description of roles and responsibilities 

and a full list of members contact details. It is 

pleasing to note that this is going on because it will 

be very useful to our newer members to allow them 

to quickly assimilate how the Club works. It must 

be daunting to come into our group and see a 

multiplicity of things that go on and not to have a 

readily available reference to help understand the 

workings. It will also be a great help to the older 

members who sometimes take it for granted that 

some 'things' just happen. 

I have been pleasantly very busy processing the 

LEARN to SING inquiries. I'm planning to issue an 

INSIDE TRACK bulletin soon to provide the detail. 



But it is sufficient to say that there has been 

considerable interest from both men and women. 

I've processed my forty-third enquiry today. The 

mix of females to males is working out about 2:1. 

That is better than we expected but the trend is 

toward the expected 3:1. If everyone turns up on 

January 10th that's made an enquiry we are going to 

have our hands full. I hope we are all adapting our 

Tuesday evening schedules to accommodate the 

7.30 start that is planned. 

Personally I was disappointed that we couldn't help 

the Piggott School to ring the changes at their 

Christmas carol church service this coming week. It 

was late notice and is quite understandable with all 

that's going on in the Club at this time. The deputy 

head that made the request fully understands the 

situation and is just as excited about our TV 

appearance with Robbie Williams as we are. I don't 

know whether she was serious about carrying our 

bags for us! I did suggest that the school think 

about getting together with us at some other time in 

the year. It would be nice to repay them for that 

extra-mile they provide on frequent occasions. 

There is a rumour that the music department is 

thinking of doing a Barbershop singing activity 

within the school. Let's watch the space and be 

ready to provide help wherever we can. 

Graham Starkie 

Editor 

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

PRAGUE TRIP - NOVEMBER 2005 

The Competition 

The 15 th International Festival of Advent and 

Christmas Music 2005 with Petr Eben prize took 

place in Prague in November 2005. Choirs choose 

their own programme of Advent and Christmas 

music with performances lasting 15 minutes. 

Instrumental accompaniment is allowed. Those 

choirs which included a specific composition by 

Page - 5 

Petr Eben in their repertoire were also judged for the 

Petr Eben prize. The competition is open to female, 

male, mixed and children’s choirs; classed as big or 

small choirs with the split being decided by the 

number of participating choirs. 

The competition was judged by an expert panel: Dr 

Jaroslava Modrochova (JM), Jan Rozehnal (JR) and 

Czeslaw Freund (CZ) using the criteria listed below. 

On the basis of these criteria the choirs are assigned 

“in accordance with international rules” into gold, 

silver and bronze band. Special prizes are also 

awarded by the judges for the best performance 

(arrangement, vocal qualities, conducting etc). In 

addition to the Petr Eben prize an award of 

“Laureate of the Festival” is awarded to the choir 

judged best overall. 

In total 58 choirs competed in 2005: 32 small choirs 

and 26 big choirs. 

TVC Results 

Thames Valley Chorus was the first big choir to 

compete. The written comments made by the judges 

are below, translated from the Czech and Polish: 

Choice of Compositions and Programme Structure 

Interesting varied choice of repertoire (CF) 

Very well chosen programme with genre 

variability, appropriate to the technical abilities of 

the choir (JR) 

Excellent construction of the programme (JM) 

Technical Level of Interpretation 

Good attention to details (CF) 

Nice voice (mainly pp-mf) natural rhythmical 

feeling. Intonation with small mistakes 

sometimes (JR) 

High quality of using voice possibilities and 

dynamics (JM) 

General Artistic Impression 

Great vocal ability and elegant way of singing. 

Good unity of sound (CF) 

Interpretation with very good expression (looks 

really); choir sings without music with excellent 

contact with the conductor (JR) 

Nice expression, atmosphere (JM) 

Other Comments 

Joy of singing. Impressed by singing with no 

music .Great involvement of singers in the songs 

(CF) 

Excellent conductor! (JR) 

Proposed for special prize for expression (JM) 

Grading 

All three judges classed TVC in the Gold Band 



What is particularly pleasing about this result for 

TVC is that we were first on, facing experienced 

judges who had no preconceptions about our style 

or standard of performance. We were singing 

material which was newly learned and outside the 

boundaries of our usual repertoire. Expert 

musicians judged us on our musicianship and the 

comments and the results speak for themselves. 

TVC is attaining ever-higher standards of 

musicality, and that is not just the members able to 

go to Prague. The high standards were 

demonstrated by all in the Chorus in the rehearsals 

leading up to the trip and in the recent Maidenhead 

show. The standard the Chorus is now achieving is 

hugely satisfying to Rhi and it is something we 

must carry through into all our performances. 

Activities outside the Competition 

Besides the competition our other formal 

performance was in a concert in the San Salvator 

Church with several other foreign choirs. Sadly the 

audience was not great in numbers as there was little 

publicity. (We were asked numerous times 

afterwards where would we be singing!). 

Nevertheless our performance was very well 

received by the other participating choirs and their 

supporters who were able to listen. 

There was also the opportunity to do some 

“afterglow “singing with other choirs. The 

Austrian choir which won the Petr Eben prize joined 

us in the bar after the prize giving, with each chorus 

taking it in turn to sing They were stunned by Birth 

of the Blues, Everybody step etc, which received 

rapturous applause. They had never seen movement 

combined with choral singing. The response to our 

performance reaffirmed TVC’s ability to entertain. 

Finally there was the community singing in the old 

town square and the opportunity to tour the sights. 

Without doubt Prague is a very special place to visit. 

From comments made since I believe the Club 

would relish another trip there one year. But there 

are other opportunities developing. We are now 

working on these and will try to ensure as many of 

the Chorus as possible can share a wonderful 

experience like Prague 2005. 

Let's make music 

PETER COOKSON 

Chairman 

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

PRAGUE TRIP. 

Well what a magnificent effort, we can now say that 

we are a gold winning chorus. Thank you to all the 

chorus for making it happen for me. 

A personal thanks to some others: 

way. 

Page - 6 

• Rhi for her faith in us to get it right on the 

night. I was sure that Ring De Bells would let 

us down! 

• Phil Wilson for all his background work. 

• Rod, where would we be without him, Adams. 

A fantastic job in getting us there and back 

and all the accommodation, as well as coping 

with the hassle, and us asking inane questions 

because we failed to read or listen to a 

briefing. 

Thank you one and all. 

ANDY PEARCE 

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

PROPS DEPARTMENT REPORT 

I thought you may like to see the following list. 

Some items have not had an outing for a long time! 

I have had the following in store at home for some 

time and needed the space so I put them under the 

stage last September. I have not checked that they 

are still there!! 

• 16 Umbrellas ex singing in the rain- not all 

working properly! 

• 50 straw Cowboy hats some worse for wear!! 

• 6 White Stetson type hats - I have no idea 

where these came from! 

• 30 plus basic plastic red noses 

• 30 plus party poppers ( and some streamers) 

• 1 white Captain Birdseye hat and 1 red plastic 

guards hat 

• 4 Straw boaters 

• 5 black mike covers as noses for reindeer! 

• 1 special plastic reindeer nose flashing-still 

• 6 reindeer antlers red 

• 1 reindeer antlers brown 

• 1 snowman's head - squashed! 

BOB RIDLEY 

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

LADIES INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 

OCTOBER 2005 

Colin and I travelled with the Reading Barberettes to 

Cardiff for the Convention. It was lovely to see all 

the girls again. On the coach journey there was the 

usual quiz, various sweets and a box of bread 

pudding -- no custard -- which sustained us on our 



Saturday's competition had great performances, 

including the Barberettes, who came 13th. Their 

stage outfit is very elegant and suits them so well. 

The White Rosettes from Leeds won the National 

contest and Phoenix from Potton, in a stunning 

performance, won the International competition. 

Rowena Houlbrook's -- remember Tim? -- quartet 

Enigma took Gold. Do see and hear this quartet if 

you have an opportunity. 

Party time on Saturday evening is beyond my 

description! It was full of song, fun and laughter. 

All kinds of bottles, bags and boxes of food seem to 

have arrived out of thin air. 

I should have joined the Barberettes 20 years ago. 

Now, I am happy and pleased to support them. 

SHIRLEY THATCHER. 

BARBERETTES DIARY 

Feb 26th 2006: A fund-raising event at St John's 

Hall, Woodley. They will be holding an Auction of 

Promises. 

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

c/o Young Arkle! (TR editor) 

6 th December 2005 

Many congrats, lads, on an excellent sing at the 

Desborough this last Saturday. I was more than 

impressed by the standard of your performance, and 

I must also congratulate you on the gold in Prague. 

Great to see and hear a good entertaining 

performance from a bunch of guys who like to sing 

with each other - it shows, and I applaud your 

efforts. 

You wouldn't have seen it from the stage, but when 

the Band turned to the audience and took their 

applause at the end, NOT ONE OF THEM 

SMILED - the palpable difference between just 

doing your thing and actually inviting someone else 

to enjoy it with you. Your Presentation Team rests 

it's case. 

GERRY HOLLAND 

*********** 

Dear Ron, Graham and all the Chorus, 


CORRESPONDENCE 

Email 


Some of you might know that Gabi had to cope with 

a lot of trouble going on in Düsseldorf. She finally 

got a decision in her favour after five years of court 

case turbulence. 

We are absolutely relieved about the result and 

would like to thank everybody who was supportive 

and encouraging during that time. 

Merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy New 

Year to all of our friends in the TVC and to all who 

are associated with the chorus. 

Mike & Gabi 

*********** 

Page - 7 

Just received the November TAG RAG – and now I 

can see where the term ‘snail mail’ started! 

Couldn’t help but notice the copy deadline – so 

hope this reaches you in time to make press! 

To say I was emotional upon reading it is to put it 

mildly. What a great vehicle Tag Rag is – and how 

much every word is surely savoured by all those 

who have had to leave the chorus. Every Tuesday 

afternoon the pangs return – so you can be certain 

I’m ‘on the risers’ with you guys in spirit, if not 

body! Never thought I would miss Rod’s booming 

‘ON THE RISERS, GENTLEMEN’. 

Firstly, congratulations to Peter and the team for 

pulling the Club finances back into shape – and also 

congrats’ to my old pals Lawrence and Barry for 

‘LEADing’ the way by joining the Executive! As 

for the ‘ol Manx American, Pauline and I are still 

with our daughter and son-in-law, enjoying their 

luxurious log cabin situated at the base of the Great 

Smokey Mountains. Had forgotten how aweinspiring 

Autumn in the Smokies can be – 

absolutely breathtaking! And ‘Christmas in a 

Cabin’, complete with roaring log fires in the oversized 

stone fireplace, promises to be equally 

awesome. Only one thing missing…..and of course, 

that is the fun (couldn’t think of a more appropriate 

word!) and fellowship of the TVC’s Tuesday night 

practices and the great camaraderie during 

performances – especially the Christmas Show in 

Maidenhead! 



Hopefully, by Spring Pauline and I will have found 

the perfect Bed & Breakfast and will then be able to 

host all you guys properly. Until then – please 

don’t hesitate to e-mail us at 

spdehaven@hotmail.com, and know that we wish 

each of you, the most Joyous Christmas and the 

Happiest, Healthiest and most rewarding New Year 

EVER! 

F Wonderful Day Medley - 2'25" 

G If I Give My Heart To You - 4'20" 

F Swing Low Sweet Chariot - 2'35" 

G The Birth of the Blues - 3' 00" 

Bb The Battle Hymn of the Republic - 3'30" 

Cm Ghost Riders in the Sky - 2'35" 

Gm The Coventry Carol - 2'20" 

EbEverybody Step Medley - 2'15" 

D Make Em Laugh - 2'00" 

Always in Harmony, 

STEVE DEHAVEN 

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

HELLO FROM SANTAHOLIX 

THE AFTERGLOW SELECTION 

Bb Fun In Just 

G Beach Boys Medley 

Cm Brother Can you Spare a Dime 

Eb No Arms Can Ever Hold You 

Eb Smoke Gets In Your Eyes 

Eb Softly (As I Leave You) 

G Sunset Poem (Troytes Chant) 

Gb Lover Come Back To Me 

G I wish I knew How it would feel to be free 

A Lady Madonna 

F Singing In The Rain 

Bb The Impossible Dream 

This was a customer requirement for the job we did, 

while you were at the Maidenhead show. 

BRIAN CALLAGHAN 

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

BARBERSHOP BABES 

ONCE AGAIN DECEMBER IS HERE 

AND WE'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO 

RECRUIT A MEMBER WITH A 

DECEMBER BIRTH DATE. 

LET'S HOPE WE HAVE 

MORE LUCK IN 2006. 

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

SELECTED WEEKLY NOTICES 

PRAGUE SONGS (15th Nov) 

THE CONTEST SONGS 

Gm Carol of the Bells - 1'30" 

Em Let All Mortal Flesh - 2'40" 

CO Holy Night - 4'15" 

Gm The Coventry Carol - 2'20" 

G Ring De Christmas Bells - 3'35" 

THE CONCERT SONGS 

D Sound Celebration - 1'50" 

Page - 8 

RISER VAN BREAKDOWN COVER (15th 

Nov) 

TVC today joined the RAC! Andy Pearce will be 

sent the paper work which he will get put in the van. 

The membership no is: TMCJM0011411SB4 

The emergency call out number is 0800 616 300. 

We are covered for home start, roadside repair and 

recovery. 

SOCIETY HARMONIZER (Dec 6th) 

Andy Pearce is in receipt of the latest copy of 

Harmonizer, - Sept/Oct issue. 

Some of the features are: 

Six Routes of Barbershop 

The Shadowbox 

A brief history of scoring 

Barbershop Hall of Fame 

Replacing! The Traditional Barbershop 

Chapter Experience. 

If you want to borrow it then please ask him. 

DRESS CODE (6th Dec) 

Peter Cookson writes: 

The note on Club dress code recently issued 

stipulated no badges, medals or jewellery to be worn 

on blazers. The exception to this requirement is that 

'pins' for long term membership of BABS may be 

worn. 



DECEMBER 20 TH FUN EVENING (6th Dec) 

Family and friends are invited to the Club evening 

on Tuesday 20 th December which will be an 

opportunity for some entertainment and Xmas 

socialising. During the course of the evening we will 

be holding a short talent contest with the objective of 

identifying new acts to include in future TVC 

shows. There will be a £100 cash prize for the best 

act (as judged by an international panel of experts 

drawn from within TVC). 

The conditions for entry are: 

• The spot should be no longer than 5 minutes 

on stage 

• The act should not have been used in a 

previous RBHC event 

The competition is open to individuals, groups (male 

or mixed) and does not necessarily have to be 

singing. 

Each of three judges will award points up to 10 for 

each of the following categories: 

• Originality 

• Entertainment Value 

• Presentation 

GREETINGS OF THE SEASON 

from Canada! 

We haven’t written for a while, so this note could be 

the length of a Bruce Beer note. As Bruce did, if 

you want to skip the Towner update and jump to the 

Toronto Northern Lights update, skip down a few 

paragraphs. 

First, Sharon and I would like to thank the club for 

renewing our honorary membership for another 

year. Believe us when we say that we still have a soft 

spot for the Reading Club and value both the 

friendships we built those many years ago and the 

continued connection through our honorary 

membership and the regular Tag Rag updates. 

Since our last note there has been much happening 

Should there be a tie the prize will go to the act with in the Towner household. First, the company for 

the highest score in the entertainment category. which I have been Vice President, Logistics for the 

past five years was sold in April and in June I was 

If you wish to participate please let Peter Cookson given the opportunity to sever ties and take early 

know (by email or phone) by December 15 th . retirement. As a result I have opened my own 

consulting business, Towner Consulting 

DESBOROUGH SHOW (6th Dec) 

(barryt@townerconsulting.com), specializing in 

Congratulations to you all for a magnificent effort Business Process and Business Transformation 

on Saturday night. I believe all the tickets were sold consulting in the Supply Chain area (inventory 

and Rod went away with a big smile on his face. management, purchasing, warehousing, 

transportation etc.). I hope that doing this will allow 

Our thanks should go to Ed Deacon, his team and me to control my time more in order to provide 

his newly acquired sidekick appropriately named Ed, more time for family and barbershopping (what 

for the great job they did with the lighting and else). Sharon is still doing the travel agent thing 

sound. They really did make a silk purse out of a (twenty years at it now) and enjoying it as much as 

sow's ear! There is s strong rumour that things will ever (Sharon@valhallatravel.com). On the family 

be better next time - what again? 

front, our six grandchildren are growing like weeds 

(three boys ages 6-8, three girls ages 2-5) and of 

If you have any outstanding monies to pass over to course all of the adults are heavily involved in 

Rod please do it sooner rather than later. 

barbershopping. Sharon and the girls (Shelley, 

Barb, and Rhonda) are all still singing with North 

Did anyone pick up Dave Elson's little bag that he Metro Sweet Adelines and will be competing in Las 

keeps his sparkly bits in? He would like them back Vegas next Fall for their fourth gold medal. Robbie 

please and if you want to weave an outrageous story (Shelley’s husband) has been coming out to 

of the contents of that bag for Tag Rag it will be Northern Lights (TNL) and will be likely joining us 

gratefully received! 

after Christmas. Todd (Barb’s husband) is a charter 

member of the new Hamilton chapter and is in to his 

elbows there. Rob (Rhonda’s husband) is still a 

*********************************** member of TNL although he is not actively singing 

with us at the moment, but concentrating on his 

Page - 9 



quartet, The Fixx, who competed in Salt Lake City. 

I, of course am still singing with TNL, as well as 

two quartets, my seniors quartet, Sound Association, 

and No Choice (I’ll get to them in a minute). Sound 

Association has competed at the International 

Seniors Quartet Contest three times (2002, 2203, 

and 2005) and has come home with two fifths and 

an eighth place showing. We will be competing in 

Sacramento in January. I will also be attending 

meetings in Sacramento at the same time as I was 

elected to the Society Board of Directors in July and 

take office for three years in January. 

I mentioned my other quartet above. Well, this 

quartet was one of my barbershop highlights. I have 

sung with Rob in quartets for many years (five 

years with Pastime and one year with The 

Highwaymen), but during that time Todd was a 

confirmed non-barbershopper. Well, the 

combination of Barb wanting to become a member 

of Harmony Ranch (the man has to be a 

barbershopper to get a membership) and a new 

chapter forming very close to where Barb and Todd 

live resulted in Todd becoming a barbershopper, and 

Barb and Todd joining the Ranch (the rest of us are 

already members, so now we see the grandkids all 

summer pretty well every day). Well, one thing led 

to another and Todd decided that he would like to 

attempt quartetting. Since he sings lead, I happen to 

sing bari, Robbie happens to sing bass, and Rob 

sings either tenor or bari, there was the makings of a 

quartet. It initially started out as a bit of fun, but lo 

and behold, we entered the Fall contest and made 

mike testers (mike warmers in your terms) for the 

Saturday nights finals. As I’ve already mentioned, 

our quartet name was very easy to decide as the 

guys had No Choice but become Barbershoppers 

and sing with their Father-in-Law. We had a great 

time on stage and the audience loved us (the 

description of our two performances would fill a 

Tag Rag on its own and this note is already getting 

very long, so I won’t bore you more on that topic). 

For those who skipped ahead, we are now to the 

update on Toronto Northern Lights. As you are all 

probably aware, we won our fifth consecutive silver 

medal in Salt Lake City in July. Again, we were the 

smallest chorus on stage again but our mime set 

drew two standing ovations (that’s ten standing 

ovations in five years at International). We have 

qualified to compete in Indianapolis in July 2006 

with some chorus in Dallas that Bruce is involved 

with being the chief competition (they are presently 

ranked first with a score of 92.3 with us less than 2 

points behind them in second at 90.4). However, 

that will be one of many significant events between 

now and then. 

Page - 10 

Our Christmas concert was held this past weekend 

in Metropolitan United Church in Toronto (they 

have the largest pipe organ in Canada). We sang a 

version of Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth 

arranged by Jay Giallombardo that is awesome. At 

that show we released our third CD, entitled The 

Sky’s the Limit. It is our best yet, and includes a 

track of Circle of Life with Mike and Mark Slamka 

from Power Play doing the solos and the full quartet 

doing the quartet part. We performed this song with 

Power Play at the World Harmony Jamboree in 

Louisville in 2004 and it brought the house down. 

Our next venture will be in the beginning of March 

when we are going to Germany as guests of Bing! 

to sing at their convention. I, as a Presentation 

Judge, along with three other judges in the chorus 

(Director Steve Armstrong, Music, Choreographer 

Dave McEachern, Presentation, and Ken Fisher, 

Singing) will be judging the contests. We will be 

doing two or three shows plus acting as mike 

coolers for the chorus contest. This was originally 

coordinated by Mike McKeown and Gabi, and 

Sharon and I look forward to seeing them there. 

Robin and Val Nichols (another voice from the past) 

will be driving up from their place in Margon 

France for the convention and Sharon and I will be 

going back to their place for a rest after the 

convention. 

When the chorus gets back from Bing! we have our 

annual show April 1 st with guest quartet 

International Champions Realtime from Vancouver 

British Columbia (Yeah! a Canadian champion, even 

though the tenor is American and the lead is 

Aussie). 

Then we will get prepared for International, where 

we will again push the big choruses to be even better 

than they thought they could be, or else lose to a 

chorus one fourth their size (based on points per 

member on stage, it has been no contest for the last 

five years….too bad they don’t announce results on 

that basis). I can’t tell you what the package will be 

or I’d have to kill you! 

In late July, early August, I am going to be on 

faculty for the quartet college associated with 

Harmony University (formerly Harmony College) 

in St. Joe, Missouri. Looking forward to a great 

week there. 

Somewhere in there I plan on doing some 

consulting in order to pay for all that. 

Well, you can take a deep breath for I am done. 

From Sharon and I, we wish all of you every joy of 

the season and much health and happiness in 2006 

and who knows, we may see some of you in 



Germany, or Indy. If you happen to be in the 

Toronto area, please give us a call (905) 473-2424 

or send us a note to btowner@interhop.net or 

barryt@townerconsulting.com 

or 

ssbtowner@aol.com or Sharon@valhallatravel.com . 

Toronto Northern Lights rehearse Monday nights 

and North Metro Sweet Adelines rehearse 

Wednesday nights. Guests are always welcome. 

Take care everyone. 

Barry & Sharon Towner 

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

MOBILE PHONE SECURITY 

This may be of interest to you & anyone who owns 

a mobile phone. A little 'get your own back' if you 

have your mobile stolen. 

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in 

the following digits on your phone: 

*#06# 

A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This 

number is unique to your handset. Write it down 

and keep it safe. Should your phone get stolen, you 

can phone your service provider and give them this 

code. They will then block your handset so even if 

the thief changes the Sim card your phone will still 

be totally useless. You probably won't get your 

phone back, but at least you know that the thief can't 

use/sell it either. 

If everybody did this, there would be no point in 

stealing mobile phones! 

Hope you never need to use it! 

AIDAN BRAND 

PS Not sure why the service provider doesn't have 

this info already, especially if they provided the 

phone, but still..... 

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

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY 

Signature 

+ 

ENIGMA 

+ SLINFOD CONCERT BAND 

An afternoon concert 

Sunday 5th February 

Rhoda McGaw Theatre. Woking 

For more information phone 

Hilary Reid 01483 861812 

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP NEWS 

Seasons Greetings playmates! The festive season is 

almost upon us with a busy season for the Chorus 

and Daytimers in prospect, several of which will 

have been carried out by the time you read these 

notes. 

Quite a lot of 'THANK YOUs" to acknowledge this 

time so I had better press on with it. Here goes then 

in alphabetical order as always, and starting with 

you Brucie-baby, (BRUCE BEER that is). Very 

many thanks for the lovely Christmas card and also 

for the very 'interesting' account of your (and 

Judith's) activities over the past year. I do hope 

Judith's treatment has not been to unpleasant for her 

and has had the desired effect. As for you, Bruce, 

quite a change in your lifestyle, and we do wish you 

every success in your new career. In the meantime 

you both seem to be in the middle of a heck of a lot 

of travelling, culminating on the other side of the 

world in the sunshine whilst we are shivering back 

here in the Old Country. All the very best to you 

both. 

And on to Bruce's Dad, ERIC BEER. sorry this is a 

bit late to say "Thank you" Eric but your letter 

arrived a day or two too late for me to include it in 

last month's Tag Rag. Still, better late than never 

eh? And what an experience for you to actually 

attend several "VM" rehearsals! Some of us would 

give our eye teeth for just one, let alone two concerts 

into the bargain. Some people get all the luck, Eric, 

and you seem to have had more than your fair share 

for a bit. Glad to keep you with us old son and I 

hope you are still singing. 

On to the C's and its "Thank you" to you ROD 

CLARK for your sub for another year, accompanied 

by a very brief note. I shall look forward to your 

promised letter with all the details in due course. In 

the meantime I'm glad I didn't have to resort to 

Davina's strong arm tactics after all. All the best to 

you, Rodders. 

Page - 11 



And next from another one of our transatlantic 

A.M.s in the person of JOHN LANE. Many thanks 

for your cheque and very interesting letter John and, 

like Bruce, you seem to be doing a heck of a lot of 

travelling. As you say, John, I can't believe you have 

been gone from these shores for as long as ten 

years, and in that time the Club has seen quite a lot 

of changes in membership. However there are still 

quite a lot of us who remember you and Frances 

with admiration and affection, so do please try to 

find time to come and see us one day. 

from home. Then to cheer us up, Bill and Carole 

(Judith's brother and sister in law) and her cousin 

Bernard and his wife Pam all visited us in May for a 

couple of weeks and all seemed to be trundling 

along at its usual hectic pace. Then Bruce was 

dispatched to New York to work on a massive 

project where he generally spent Monday thru 

Thursday each week. Thursday is of course 

sacrosanct in the Beer household - it is the Vocal 

Majority rehearsal night and as always, he 

miraculously manages to be home that night! 

Still in the L's and I have to say a very late "thank 

you" to you MARTYN LAPWORTH, for, like Eric 

Beer, your letter and cheque arrived just too late for 

inclusion in last month's Tag Rag. It has been 

lovely to see you on Club nights, Martyn, and even 

better to have you join us on the risers. What a pity 

you don't live a bit nearer so, like TONY SEARLE, 

you could come back full time. Love to you, Debs 

and the family. 

Now we start getting to the "interesting" bits. In 

May Judith went for a mammogram, and although it 

did not look like a problem, she needed to have it 

checked out. At her checkup she was told she had 

an almost certainly benign cyst, and had 2 options. 

She could either leave it and have regular checks to 

see if there were any changes, or she could have an 

operation now to remove it - we decided that it 

would be better to get rid of it straight away. 

And last in this long line of "thank yous" it's your 

turn ALAN TURNER. Many thanks for your 

cheque Alan and for staying with us after all these 

years, and I do hope "Sweeney Todd" was, like all 

your other productions, a great success. 

I really do think that is all for this month, so I will 

close by wishing all our "A.Ms" and "H.Ms" 

wherever you happen to be this Christmas a very 

happy time and a happy, healthy and prosperous 

New Year 2006. My fondest good wishes to you 

all. 

T.T.F.N. 

RON COLLIS 

F.O.T.C. 

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

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS' LETTERS 

BRUCE & JUDlTH 2005 - 

AN "INTERESTING" YEAR 

Well what a year for the Dallas Beers! ! 

Christmas 2004 saw us at home in Dallas Texas for 

the first time since we moved over the pond. Our 

daughter Rachel moved over here at the beginning 

of 2004, but did not have enough holiday to return 

to our UK roots for Christmas so we made the 

decision to stay there and keep her company, and 

give our usual hosts in the UK a break. 

The year started off with Judith suffered several 

uncomfortable months with shingles etc. and Bruce 

was away most of the time working in Houston - 

just a hop skip and a 40-minute plane ride away 

Page - 12 

The surgeoness was confident it would be benign, 

but that she would have a rummage around inside 

and dig it out. Needless to say, the result of the 

biopsy wasn't quite what we had hoped for - it was 

cancer! Oh dear, bless my soul, and other similar 

phrases were muttered in the US, the UK, and New 

Zealand! Following subsequent removal of a couple 

of lymph nodes just to check it had not spread the 

surgeoness said we were very lucky - we had caught 

it very early when it was still very small and that it 

had not spread. She had removed all the cancer and 

the next step was to have radiation therapy twice a 

day for a week - which was followed by "normal" 

life for a short while. 

Then we had a big decision to make. Much to our 

surprise we were advised to have chemotherapy 

(Judith that is, not Bruce!) - a particularly 

unpleasant way of spending 6 months. We took the 

advice and Jude started her first session in 

September. 

Bruce's parents had planned to visit us in September 

- way before we knew about Jude. So they were 

with us for their 59th wedding anniversary, Judith's 

birthday, and the first of her six chemotherapy 

sessions (one every 3 weeks). We could not allow 

the fact that we had made several complex and 

costly plans including trips to the UK and New 

Zealand to affect the decision - when the time came, 

we would either go if she felt well enough, or we 

wouldn't. On a brighter note, Bruce's dad managed 

to get in 2 Vocal Majority shows and 4 rehearsals - 

he was there so often he almost became a member! 

Then Bruce's sister Rena came out for 4 weeks, the 

main intention being to look after Judith while 



Bruce was working in New York and while he was 

away for a weekend of a Vocal Majority 

competition. However, now we come to the next bit 

of earth shaking news! 

When we found out about Judith having to have 

chemo, Bruce was very concerned about working in 

New York every week while Judith was suffering 

chemo in Dallas. Then "bingo", HP came up with 

the solution - they offered people of advanced years 

and length of service (fits Bruce to a tee!) the 

opportunity to take early retirement. A discussion 

with our financial advisor lead us to accepting the 

offer pdq, and he "retired" on October 14th. He will 

spend his time up to the middle of January travelling 

and looking after Judith, then start up as a Project 

Management consultant in mid January. He will 

focus on teaching Project Management for 2 of the 

largest training companies in the US, and doing PM 

consulting, specializing in project recovery - digging 

bad projects out of the smelly stuff. 

At the moment (November 18th), we are in the UK 

staying with Bill and Carole. "Why?" I hear you 

ask. Well now we come to the next major event in 

the annuls of the Beer clan- this time the best news 

you could possibly hope for- son David and his 

wife Lucy are expecting their first child in early 

January, to go with our other 2 wonderful 

grandchildren Felix & Adele (Lucy's children from 

her first marriage). So we will be hurtling across the 

Pacific to New Zealand for Christmas, New Year, 

and the birth of David & Lucy's first daughter. 

Because we are going to NZ for Christmas, we are 

here in the UK having an early Christmas with our 

families. Come December we will be walking upside 

down and having beach barbies in the middle of 

summer in NZ - wow, we can't wait. All this is 

dependent on how Jude feels of course - her final 

chemo session is on December 19th, the day before 

we are due to travel. At the moment, it appears we 

will be OK to go, but we won't know until very close 

to the time - we are keeping our fingers well & truly 

crossed. Then we are into the New Year of 2006 - 

may it be a little less interesting than 2005 is all we 

can say! ! ! ! 

So all our friends & relatives, you now know the 

excitement and life changing events in the Beer 

household during 2005. Bruce still has 7 years to 

make a living out of his new consultancy business 

before he can fully retire, although the last couple of 

weeks have given him some insight into how it 

might feel and he is looking forward to it. 

We hope your year has not been quite as 

"interesting" health-wise as ours, and that you are all 

well. We wish you a very happy Christmas and 

Page - 13 

New Year, and hope you will have a drink to our 

new granddaughter over the New Year celebrations. 

Love to all, Bruce & Judith Beer 

******** 

9th November 2005 

Dear Ron, 

I enclose cheque for my subscription. 

From Tag Rag I see that TVC is going strong, and I 

send you my best wishes for its continued success. 

In September Mary and I stayed with Bruce and 

Judy, and were able to attend four rehearsals and 

two concerts by the VM, quite an experience. I was 

presented with photographs of the occasion as I was 

invited to give Jim and Greg Clancy a few minutes' 

break. I think that was quite an experience for them 

as well - no doubt they will soon recover! (I am no 

"lightning conductor"!) 

Cheers and good wishes to 'you-all' for Christmas. 

Eric Beer 

******** 

25.11.05 

Dear Ron, 

Thanks for your letter. Cheque herewith for 

renewed subscription. 

I will follow with a 'proper' letter a.s.a.p. 

In haste, 

Rod Clark 

******* 

25 November 2005 

Dear Ron 

Many thanks for the Tag Rag and for your friendly 

reminder. It's just one day after Thanksgiving so I 

am well off the mark this year – It normally takes 

me until January! 

We are just coming up to our third year in Georgia 

– and last year, because of those four, or was it five, 

hurricanes, we really didn’t miss Florida at all! In 

fact, if we hadn’t moved when we did, we certainly 

would have after the third! I can take a joke with the 

best of them but that was a bad situation. 

We have had an eventful year with lots of travel in 

and around the US and also to Beijing, Melbourne 

Australia, Kuala Lumpur twice, and Singapore. 

Now we are looking forward to coming home to the 

UK for Christmas with the family. We do enjoy 

spending Christmas in the UK, obviously because 

the family is round us, but also because it seems to 



go on longer and have a warmer feeling there than 

here. Unfortunately, we don’t get back until the 23 rd 

and leave again on the 3 rd so it won't be possible to 

attend a club night – unless you have a sing-out 

scheduled during that time. One day I will manage 

it – perhaps when we get back in the summer. I 

agree entirely with your feeling that time flies by. 

Can you imagine that we left you all over ten years 

ago? – Unbelievable! 

As requested, I have included my cheque (my US 

spell checker didn’t like it spelled that way!) for 

another year’s worth of Associate Member dues. I 

still enjoy receiving Tag Rag every month, even 

though many of the names are new to me. (Keep at 

it Graham!) 

Please pass on our good wishes for the New Year to 

those that remember us. 

Again, my good wishes to you Ron – You’re 

certainly one of those guys that can’t be kept down! 

Yours with fond memories 

John and Frances 

******* 

Dear Ron, 

Thanks very much for your note about my am subs 

being due, my apologies for being late paying but 

please sign me up for another year. 

I've enjoyed my last couple of visits to see the 

chorus and your preparations for Prague, I hope 

you all have a good time there. 

Family life is still as hectic as ever! James has just 

turned one and has started taking his first steps. 

Hannah was five in June and is growing up very 

quickly. Debs is still singing with Arun Sounds in 

Bognor, and is still quarteting. She's also started 

childminding so has her hands full with a herd of 

additional kids! As usual I'm looking for another 

job as my current one finishes at the end of 

November. My job search area includes Reading so 

I might be around a bit more often if things work 

out! 

Best wishes Martyn Lapworth 

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

HISTORICAL NOTES 

Here I am with the last Historical Notes of another 

year, they seem to go by so quickly. It is 14 years 

since I left RBHC but thanks to Tag Rag and my 

monthly input it feels as though I am still part of it. 

I would like to make one observation on the Any 

Other Business of your AGM. The remarks made 

by Geraint on the attendance to the London Welsh 

Choir is the same as the Morriston Orpheus Choir 

and anyone who cannot commit to the rules are 

asked to leave. As regards to rehearsal nights Peter 

and Colin have it right. We are expected to learn 

words and notes, after the initial rehearsal, before we 

attend rehearsals, leaving the rehearsal time for 

interpretation by the MD. 

5 Years Ago December 2000 

2 nd BABS Southern Prelims at Exeter. 

TVC were in first place from 11 choruses singing 

‘Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart’ & ‘Always’ 

with 59 on the risers 

Chorus Director Steve Hall. In the overall placings 

TVC were in 3 rd place behind Grand Central Chorus 

and Cotton Town Chorus out of 28 choruses. 

The quartet contest was held at Dartmouth High 

School, Walsall won by Sound Crew. 

RBHC interests were: 

5 th High Spirits (Steve Hall) 

8 th Savannah (Graham Frampton) 

14 th Bagatelle (Aidan Brand, Peter Dawson, 

Andy Balchin, Simon Lee) 

30 quartets competed. 

5 th Rockaholix (Roger Wilkinson, Ken Smyth, 

Chris Oliver, Rod Adams) were at a private reception 

at Abbey House, Reading. 

7 th Daytimers at Edmunds Court, Bracknell for the 

Bracknell Stroke Club. 

Page - 14 

8 th Rockaholix were the guest quartet at the 

Barberettes show at Bearwood Theatre. 



9 th Full Chorus at St. John’s Church, Woodley 

TVC Christmas show with St. John’s Church 

Choir. 

10 th Full Chorus at St. Barnabas’ Church, Emmer 

Green TVC Christmas show with Nicola Seekings- 

Smith (Mezzo-soprano) 

13 th Daytimers at Kings Church, Slough. 

16 th Full Chorus at St.Nicholas’ Church, Newbury 

TVC Christmas show with Nicola Seekings-Smith 

Margaret Howard (BBC Pick Of The Week), 

readings & poems. 

The Christmas shows were all produced and M/C’d 

by Geoff Sasse. 


1 st Southern Prelims at Minehead. 

Chorus results: 

1 st Pilgrimaires 

2 nd Southern Union 

3 rd Thames Valley Chorus with 50 on the risers 

singing ‘Toot Toot Tootsie’ & ‘My Old Dutch’ 

Chorus Director was Derek Smith. 12 choruses 

competed. 

In the quartet contest, won by By Appointment 

(Bournemouth) the only RBHC entry was in 

8 th place Classic Edition (Roger Wilkinson, Nick 

Carter, Derek Smith, Brian Callaghan) 


8 th Full Chorus at Wokingham Methodist Church. 

26 th Rockaholix spent Boxing Day evening singing 

to the guests at the Dudley Hotel, Brighton. 


2 nd At the Southern Prelims held in Brighton the 

Chorus were in 1 st place for the second year 

running. 

With 71 on stage, under the direction of Tony 

Searle, singing ’Gone’ & ‘Alabamy/Midnight Choo 

Choo medley’ 

15 choruses competed. 

Quartet results (RBHC interests) 

5 th Flying High (Pat Deeble, Graham Frampton, 

Jim Downing, Ed Dolan) 

7 th Bagatelle (Aidan Brand, Peter Dawson, Ian 

Douglas, Andy Balchin) 


In the Senior Quartet contest the winner from 

RBHC was: 

Southern Tradition (John Harvey, Alan Hill, 

Gerry Holland, Colin Thatcher) 


9 th RBHC Christmas party at the Army barracks, 

Windsor arranged by Windsor Rackham & Colin 

Falvey. Side By Side (Roger Wilkinson, Ken 

Smyth, Chris Oliver, Rod Adams) sang at the 

Binfield Garden Centre. 

14 th RBHC Christmas Party at Lowbrook School, 

Maidenhead. 

15 th Full Chorus at the Broad Street Mall, Reading 

for four 15 minute spots alternatively under the 

Christmas tree and on the risers in front of Modern 

Music. 


3 rd Full Chorus at Mapledurham Playing Fields 

Pavilion for Chazey Women’s Institute. 

7 th Southern Prelims at Victoria Rooms, Bristol. 

Chorus results: 16 quartets competed. 

1 st Great Western Chorus 

2 nd Chesham Buccaneers 

3 rd Thames Valley Chorus with 33 on the risers 

singing ‘When The Showboat Comes To Town’ 

& ‘Showboat Days/My Wild Irish Rose’ 

Chorus Director was Pete Powell. 

17 choruses competed. 

Quartet competition (RBHC interests): 

5 th Rainbows End (with Dick Knight & Colin 

Carter) 

10 th Southern Comfort (John Carter, Alan Hill, 

Gerry Holland, Colin Thatcher) 

15 th House Of Chords (John Harvey, Graham 

Sutton, Bruce Beer, Philip Wilson) 

14 th Full Chorus at Reading Town Hall Square for 

Round Table charity. 

16 th Small Chorus at Alice Burrows Home, 

Southcote. 

19 th Small Chorus at Iris Court Home, Tilehurst. 

20 th Daytimers at Age Concern Christmas party. 

Page - 15 

14 th Full Chorus at Oddfellows Hall, Oxford Road, 

Reading for the Reading Hard of Hearing Christmas 

party. 

17 th RBHC Christmas party at the RAF Officers 

Mess, West Drayton, arranged by John Lane. 


10 th Full Chorus at St.Michaels Hall, Spencers 

Wood, Reading for the Women’s Institute. 



21 st Full Chorus at the Reading Rugby Club. 

23 rd Full Chorus at the London Rugby Club. 


5/7 th BABS/LABBS Convention at Butlins Ocean 

Hotel, Brighton 

First Chorus competition: 

1 st Crawley Chordsmen 

2 nd Tyneside 

3 rd Berkshire Barbershoppers (TVC) with 28 on 

the risers singing ‘Margie’ & ‘For All We 

Know’ 

Chorus Director was Pete Powell 15 choruses 

competed. 

We were awarded the Johnny Cairns Trophy 

(donated by a Canadian barbershopper) for our 

services to UK barbershop during the year. 

Quartet competition (RBHC interests): 

3 rd Barrytones (Barry Nowell, Nick Carter, Colin 

Carter, Bob Watkin) 

8 th Four No Trumps (Ken Hopper, Ron Beale, Ron 

Collis, Pete Powell) 

Five ladies choruses from Brighton, Crawley, 

Purbrook, Reading and Tyneside were also present. 

RBHC repertoire as at December 1975: 

Barbershop Style 

After Dark 

Tell Me Why 

Let Me Call You Sweetheart 

Winter Wonderland 

Silent Night 

A Bird In A Gilded Cage 

My Wild Irish Rose 

For All We Know 

New Ashmolean Marching Society 

Just A-wearying For You 

Shenandoh 

Let The Rest Of The World Go By 

Roses Of Picardy 

If I Had My Way 

Goodbye My Lady Love 

Band Parade Medley 

Smilin’ Through 

Chord Busters March 

Down Our Way 

Margie 

I will close by wishing you all a merry Christmas 

and a happy and successful New Year. 

Regards 

HAYDN ADAMS 

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

SUPPORTERS 

Many congratulations to TVC on their success in 

winning a gold award in Prague. What a weekend! 

Your supporters were very proud of you. Thank you 

to everyone for their company and for making this 

such a very special trip, from the black beanies with 

the price tag green RBHC labels, to the mass sing in 

the Old Town Square, the shared meals, the 

afterglows with a couple of the other choirs, the 

church concert, the mulled wine, the goulash and so 

many other things. Thank you to Rod Adams for 

all his hard work, to Rhi, and to the Chorus. My 

biggest disappointment was that we had only one 

slight fall of snow! 

The Desborough Show was excellent. My friends 

thoroughly enjoyed it and commented on the 

noticeable improvements in singing since they had 

last attended a show some 18 months ago. 

And now you are on T.V. on Christmas eve with 

Robbie Williams, Ricky Gervais and David 

Beckham! Where will it end? 

I spoke with Jean Hird this week and she is making 

good progress and hopes to come along to the 20th 

Social evening. It is good to hear that Rod, Philip 

and Colin are all in good spirits following their ops. 

Fred Goudy rang this evening and I now have his 

new telephone number if anyone needs it. They are 

settling in and Fred has secured a job, which is all 

good news. 

Well I hope you will all have a wonderful Christmas 

and Santa brings you something nice. 

Happy New Year 

Luv 'n' hugs as always, 

IRENE 

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

Page - 16 



INTERNET SCAMS & FIDDLES 

I came across the following two useful bits of 

information in my Retired Staff magazine recently. 

The first one caught my eye because of the Thames 

Valley connection. I referred the last 'fiddle' I 

received to which I got a courteous reply. It made 

me feel good if nothing else! 

Scams - Despite constant warnings from the Police, 

Trading Standards, Department of Trade and 

Industry and other organisations, dishonest 

tricksters continue to come up with plausible 

schemes designed to catch you off your guard and 

to con you to part with your money. A website that 

offers some very useful points and advice on fraud 

is: www.met.police.uk/fraudalert." 

"E-mail Fiddles - Usually appeals from overseas, 

typically Africa, from wealthy individuals seeking 

assistance to set up bank accounts so they can 

transfer money from their country. In return for 

your help you will receive a financial reward. 

DON'T DO ANYTHING other than forward copies 

of these fiddles to the TVP Fraud Squad at: 

Pravina.Makwana@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk. 

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

BARBERSHOPPERS INTERNET 

DIRECTORY 

The following sites are known to be useful 

references for a Barbershop singer. Note that most 

sites provide links with other related sites which 

makes navigating round a particular subject are easy. 

You can get to more or less everything barbershop 

from the BABS or Society webpages. 

RBHC 

www.rbhc.org.uk 

LEARN to SING 

www.learntosing.org.uk 

BABS 

www.singbarbershop.com 

SPEBSQSA 

www.spebsqsa.org 

BABS Harmony College 

www.babs-education.info/harmonycollege 

BABS Guild of Judges 

www.babs-education.info/judges 

BABS Chorus Directors 

www.babs-education.info/directors 

Song database: 

www.songfile.com 

European Route Planner 

www.ViaMichelin.com 

Post Codes et al 

www.royalmail.com (needs you to login) 

Streetmaps 

www.streetmap.co.uk 

Telephone Numbers 

www.192.com 

Page - 17 

5 Day & 24hr Weather Forecast 

www.bbc.co.uk 

Consumer Advice (nee Trading Standards) 

www.consumerdirect.gov.uk 

Additions to this directory will be gladly accepted. 

Send to 'starkie@btinternet.com'. Happy surfing. 

WE'VE GOT THEIR NUMBER 

Have you heard of the Consumer Direct helpline? 

It's like NHS Direct, but consumers. I only ask 

because, although it went live nationally recently 

after a year of regional pilots, very few people seem 

to know about it. 

For help and advice on all types of problems or 

disagreements with suppliers of goods and services - 

from shops and manufacturers to dodgy builders, 

dishonest traders and scams, call 08454 04 05 06, or 

visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk. 

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

Thanks to Haydn Adams, Bruce Beer, Aidan Brand, 

Brian Callgahan, Mervyn Clark, Ron Collis, Peter 

Cookson, Andy Pearce, Bob Ridley, Shirley Thatcher, 

Barry & Sharon Towner 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 

12 December 2005 

Copy deadlines: 

10th January for 17th distribution 

14th February for 21st distribution 

14th March for 21st distribution 

11th April for 18th distribution 

9th May for 16th distribution 

13th June for 20th 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. (paraphrase of Club rule number 2) 

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.rbhc.org.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. 

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

STOP PRESS 

QUARTET NEWS. 

Just an update from Take Four, a quartet, a number 

of you may think is non existent, or invisible, due to 

our non appearance at Club events. At least the 

appearance of three of us in our “stage gear” last 

Tuesday will, I hope have been some evidence that 

we do actually exist. 

We are in fact quite a busy quartet, with our 

rehearsals often twice a week and regular 

engagements around the area. It is a pity that 

Graham Swatridge has such demands on his 

weekday time, which preclude him from Club 

rehearsal nights during term time. Monday is our 

main rehearsal evening, but we often rehearse on a 

Tuesday evening until 7.45, having started at 6.15 or 

so, and then Graham has to go home to prepare for 

his school work the following day. Fortunately he 

has more spare time at weekends and that allows us 

to undertake a goodly number of engagements in 

recent times, for example. 

Sat 18 th Sept – Holyport, singing at party for a 

lady’s Choir-The Tuesday Club 

Sat 25 th Sept - Cookham;. Fundraising Concert 

for Autism Research. Obtained from a previous 

appearance in Cookham at the local Arts Festival. 

The organiser of this fundraising concert was at 

this event. 

Sat 1st Oct - Sonning, singing in the local 

Community Centre at a Harvest Festival supper 

(we obtained a future engagement at Sindlesham 

Masonic Centre from this). 

Page - 18 

Sat 15 th Oct - Singing at the Wedding Service 

and pre-reception for Julian’s daughter’s 

wedding. This was one of the highlights of our 

year. Troyte's Chant in the church was certainly 

an experience. 

Frid 2 nd Dec - Wokingham, singing at the 

(early) Christmas party for the Wokingham 

Anglo French Club. I did the opening intro in 

French, much to the surprise of the quartet 

members. 

Tues 6 th Dec - Bulmershe Court Sheltered 

Accommodation, Singing for residents, and 

families at another early Christmas party! In the 

audience was Graham’s 90 year old Great Aunt. 

We are hoping that Graham will be available for the 

Club party night, and that we will be able to prove 

that we do actually exist, by singing at a Club event. 

MERVYN CLARK 

Scribe for Take Four Quartet 

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

CLUB EXECUTIVE 

Peter Cookson 01635 528316 

Chairman 

peter_j_cookson@btopenworld.com 

Barry Howard 0118 942 8400 

Membership bjhanddjh@aol.com 

Julian Charman 01491 872300 

Music 

jjcharman@aol.com 

Andy Pearce 0118 973 2364 

Administration andrew.pearce33@btinternet.com 

Lawrence McNulty 0118 978 7161 

Marketing & PRO lawrence@mcnultyfamily.co.uk 

Alex Russell 01635 40855 

Finance 

6 Bartlemy Road, Newbury 

RG14 6JX 

Rod Adams 0118 934 4515 

Musical Events Rod.Adams@wham-bam.net 

Ken Mills 0118 978 0031 

Treasurer heatherken@waitrose.com 

Other Roles: 

Rhiannon Owens-Hall 01352 780825 

Chorus Director rhiannonhall@babs-education.info 

FATHER OF THE CHORUS and 

Associate Member Coordinator 

Ron Collis 10 Langley Hill Close Tilehurst 

READING RG3 4EJ 

Tel 0118 941 6081 

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


RBHC's 


50 

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. 

•Newly built modern kennels• 

•Large exercise runs • Heated sleeping areas• 

•DOGS WALKED DAILY• 

•Very competitive rates - incl. of food • 

•Heating, vet, insurance and VAT.• 

•Dog training - Obedience and Agility• 

Call in and see us anytime - opposite Waingels 

School Woodley 

0118 969 0834 

0118 969 4898 

Proprietor D. W. Jeffery 

Regular listening to recorded material improves your 

awareness of the barbershop style and will help you to 

work-smarter with your singing. 

Barbershop Recordings 

Resource Library 

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. 

Save yourself the cost (and trouble) of getting your own 

recordings by borrowing other members through Andy 

Wheeler's Lending Library Service. Look for the Library 

List on the notice board for current titles. 

Borrowing requests should be made either by email or a 

personal note that should include name of item required 

and a reply address. Speak to Andy on Rehearsal night or 

at andy.wheeler@sportscentre.org.uk. Andy will 

coordinate the loan and put the lender in touch with the 

borrower to complete the deal. 

A charge of £1 per item loaned per week is payable to 

Andy. The money will go into Club funds and Andy will 

review the need to purchase recorded material on behalf of 

the library. 

Page - 19 



THE REMAINING DAYS OF 

DECEMBER 2005 


11 12 13 14 15 

16 

Daytimers Rehearsal 

Extra Rehearsal Rehearsal 

Remenham 

Piggott School afternoo/evening 

TAG RAG 

7.30pm 

at South Bak TV 

WI 

DISTRIBUTION 

Studios 

17 

Camera rehearsal 

and recording at 

South Bak TV 

Studios 

18 19 20 

Rehearsal 

Party/Social 

Evening 

21 22 23 24 

25 

Christmas 

Day 

26 

Boxing Day 27 

NO 

Rehearsal 

28 29 30 31 

New Year's 

Eve 

January 2006 Calendar is on page 2 

A LOOK AHEAD TO 

FEBRUARY 2006 


1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 

LtS wk5 

Rehearsal 

TAG RAG 

COPY 

DEADLINE 

12 13 14 

Daytimers 

Hungerford Tuesday 

Club LtS wk6 

Rehearsal 

TAG RAG 

DISTRIBUTION 

19 20 21 

LtS wk7 

Rehearsal 

8 9 10 11 

15 16 17 18 

22 23 24 25 

26 27 28 

Rehearsal 

February 

2006 

Page - 20 

Please support our Tag Rag advertisers

Dec 2005 - Thames Valley Chorus

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?