I joined Avon Harmony in February 2017 after reading a small ad in the local free magazine inviting any ladies along to a 10 week ‘Love to sing’ course. So my mum and I tentatively went to our first session and we were both hooked from then on (maybe it was the tea and cakes that made us keep coming) as at first I never thought I’d be able to be as good as some of the ladies that have been singing for years, having not sung in a choir since I was at school (a little over …….. years ago!).

I started out in the baritone section, then decided my voice was more suited to the lead section, although I can sometimes join the parts I like best when we first start a new song!

I’ve always loved singing, but when at school I decided I couldn’t do everything so I chose sport over singing (although I must admit if it had been the other way around, I may not have had so many bumps and breaks as I’ve had).

When people ask me what I love about Avon Harmony, I’d say it’s the support of the other members, they always ask how me and my family are, agreeing to sing at my mum’s wake.  It made me feel proud to be amongst such a strong, supportive groups of women who, no matter what, will always be, as they sang at the wake:

‘When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights
You just call out my name and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer, or fall all you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, You've got a friend

My funniest chorus moment must be when, during our concert last April when one of the ladies broke away from the others to dance to ‘Hey big spender’ twirling around a red boa, the audience went wild, her husband looked shocked.

I have many passions in my life and apart from my family it has got to be hockey, which I’m still playing after 40 odd years and gardening, although some of the plants have decided to grow legs as my replanting regime is a tough one.

One thing I’ve done and would never do again would be have my hair shaved at the side and dyed purple, when I was a punk, my dad was not amused, and neither was the girl’s grammar school I attended.  Although purple seems to be quite a popular colour again, maybe I could investigate it??

And now to cap it all I’ve become Chair of Avon Harmony and enjoy getting my teeth into GDPR, rules and regulations, roles and responsibilities as well as lots of tea and cake.