The Mendip Male Voice Choir began a year of concerts at a new venue last Monday; Camerton Community Hall.

It was also a first for the village, and what great support there was from the surrounding areas, with the hall bursting at the seams. It was said Camerton had ‘never experienced anything like this before’, as the Mendip Men gave one of their best performances ever.

Hall Chairman, Clive Turner, gave a brief outline of what has happened at the hall over the past year, with much improved electrics and refurbishments, but explained there was still a long way to go to complete the work.

Because it was the choir’s normal practice night, nearly every member attended, which helped with the terrific sound that engulfed the hall. The evening began with ‘Let All Men Sing’, followed by ‘Climb Every Mountain’ and finishing the set with the popular ‘Hippopotamus Song’. It was then the turn of the choir’s talented twosome, Jamie and Philip, to wow the audience with a piano duet.

To take the concert up to the interval, the men sang ‘Shall we Gather at the River’, the very moving ‘Shining’ and ‘What Would I Do Without My Music’.

The hall committee provided tea/coffee and filled rolls with many people making their way to the bar during the break. From the choir the best was still to come, starting the second half with ‘Gwahoddiad’, and songs such as ‘Bring Him Home’, ‘Every Time I Hear the Spirit’ and ‘You Raise Me Up’.

Clive Turner thanked the choir for a fantastic evening of song and announced £1,000 had been made on the night to enable the continued improvements needed at the hall. The evening then ended with ‘American Trilogy’, which nearly took the roof off! There was a standing ovation at the end of the concert, proving what a great event it had turned out to be.

The singing didn’t stop there; over a pint or two in the bar afterwards as the men were off again with some of their favourite songs.

The events continue at Camerton Community Hall on Friday, 20th April with a Sri Lankan Pop-Up Restaurant. Places limited, contact: 07866 112689, email: [email protected]

Bryn Hawkins