The Mendip Male Voice Choir visited the Isle of Wight to give three concerts; two of which were to raise money for charity, the other on the way home at Warner’s Holiday Village, Norton Grange.

100 members, wives, partners and friends travelled to Sandown for a two night stay, with the first night’s concert at the Sandown Christ Church.

The audience responded enthusiastically to the Mendip Men, who for this one concert had to engage a conductor from the island, as the choir’s Musical Director Jamie Knights was unable to get there.

However, it proved a great success with Howard Willkie standing in, and he soon built up a great rapport with the choir’s excellent accompanist, Philip Evry, to make sure everything went well.

The choir was particularly pleased to have their resident soloist, Hannah Dury, travelling with them, and would take a part in each concert to great effect as usual.

It was a great night for the church and its chosen charity, the Earl Mountbatten Hospice – the retiring collection raised was £400.

Howard Wilkie and his wife came back to the hotel to enjoy a drink with the choir, and he had nothing but praise for them. Howard’s parting quote was: “I am Musical Director of a local choir, and they are Second Division. The Mendip Male Voice Choir is certainly Premier League.”

On the Saturday, there was a trip organised to Osborne House, which proved a good move as the costumes from the film “Victoria and Abdul” were on view. Dame Judy Dench was at the house on the day, but no one in the party had the privilege to meet her, which was unfortunate.

After a quick wash and brush up, it was off to the other side of the island to Christ Church Totland. The packed church was entertained by the Mendip Men and Hannah Dury, this time with their own MD, Jamie Knights. The only male voice choir on the island of Newbridge was in attendance to share the programme.

The pieces chosen by Jamie Knights for the tour included: ‘Llanfair’, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, ‘There’s Nothing Like a Dame’, ’Everytime I Feel the Spirit’, ‘Let All Men Sing’, ’Softly As I Leave You’, ‘Shining’, ‘Anthem’ and ‘An American Trilogy’.

‘Anthem’ and ‘An American Trilogy’ were chosen for the two choirs to sing together to end the concert, with Jamie Knights playing the organ. It proved a great rousing end to an enjoyable evening for the audience and choirs, with another £500-plus raised for charity.

On the way home on the Sunday, the choir had been engaged by Warner’s Norton Grange to sing for an hour before the guests’ lunch, and it was quite strange to be on a stage with spot lights lighting up the area!

The large audience were on their feet for a standing ovation at the end of the programme given by the men and Hannah.

It’s all systems go at Monday evening rehearsals from now on, preparing for the choir’s massive concert on Friday, 27th October at Wells Cathedral with Glastonbury, Taunton and Police Male Voice Choirs. This is going to be quite an event, one of the biggest the MMVC has been involved in.

Any man who can hold a note would be most welcome to join this wonderful bunch of men on a Monday, at St Mary’s School, Timsbury from 7 p.m. You will not know what you have missed until you have sung with 70 other men.

Bryn Hawkins