At last, the Mendip Male Voice Choir’s Musical Director, Jamie Knights, has achieved something he has wished for over the past few years – to give a concert in aid of the Royal British Legion.

What an opportunity this year – commemorating 100 years of the end of the First World War. After many meetings with the RBL, a plan was put together by the choir’s Concert Secretary, Terry Phillips, to hold a concert on the Saturday before Remembrance Sunday at St John’s Church, Midsomer Norton.

To say it was a success is an understatement! Jamie Knights put together an excellent programme, and he linked every song the choir sang to a part of the War or the families back home.

The Mendip Lads got the evening started with the excellent ‘What Would I Do Without My Music’, followed by ‘Anthem’ and ‘Shall We Gather at The River’. One of the choir’s bass singers, Roger Carrick, gave a very emotional reading of ‘The Trumpet’, ‘Blowing in The Wind’ and ‘The Soldier’.

It was now time to welcome back after having her second child, the choir’s soloist, Hannah Drury, who wowed the audience with her terrific voice singing, ‘Après un rêve’, ‘Un Bel Di Vedremo’ and ‘Ave Maria’ by Schubert.

The RBL had requested a concert with audience participation by singing some of the WWI songs, and the gathering really got into the spirit of things, raising the roof with ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’, ‘Pack Up Your Troubles’ and ‘Keep The Home Fire Burning’.

The Mendip Men closed the first half with ‘Gwahoddiad’ and ‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands’. There was a welcome drink and biscuits put on by the local RBL branch members.

In the second half, the choir sang ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, ‘You Raise Me Up’, ‘Bring Him Home’, ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ ending with the piece they started with, ‘What Would I Do Without My Music’. Hannah Drury sang ‘Tears in Heaven’, ‘One More Kiss’ and ‘I Know You My Heart’.

Roger Carrick, in his second slot, read ‘For The Fallen’, ‘In Flanders Fields’ and ‘Everyone Sang’, putting every emotion into his readings, which brought lots of applause. It was evident for all to see, MD, Jamie Knights, was on top form with his introduction to each piece of music, and Philip Evry on the piano was as excellent as ever.

The audience, which included Member of Parliament, Jacob Rees-Mogg, and the Midsomer Norton Mayor, Paul Myers, applauded at the end of what had been a wonderful concert. It was decided this concert was going to be a free event, so no entrance fee and no charge for the choir, but there would be a retiring collection. The amount made for the local Legion Veterans’ Community Trust was a terrific £752.

The next big concert for the Mendip Men is this Saturday, November 24th at St Nicholas Church, Radstock, and is in aid of the wonderful charity SWALLOW – their own choir will be sharing the concert and are not to be missed.

Please come along to help the choir raise a good amount for the adults and teenagers.

Then, the Men are back for their Christmas Concert on Monday, 17th December at St John’s Church, Midsomer Norton. Tickets are available from Eric on: 01761 414070 or on the Choir’s website: www.mendipmen.co.uk

Bryn Hawkins