IT is with great sadness that I report to you that members met at the railway club on May 3 and voted, in accordance with our constitution, to dissolve the Hereford Rail Male Voice Choir.

The choir has existed, in various incarnations, for something like 40 years, and in its present guise for 28.

Over that time we have seen changes in singers, musical directors and accompanists, but one thing has remained constant: our desire to meet regularly to sing and perform concerts around the county and beyond to raise money for worthy causes.

To that end we can consider ourselves successful.

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However, following, but not necessarily because of Covid 19, we have struggled with numbers and found ourselves unable to field a balanced choir capable of performing to the high standards we have always strived for and our audiences have come to expect.

Our best efforts at recruitment have met with very limited success, which is a problem being experienced by choirs around the UK and further afield.

I want to extend my warmest thanks to all choristers and musicians, past and present (and their long-suffering wives or partners and families!), vice-presidents, friends, supporters and audience members.

Over the years, they have contributed in so many ways to our success, but especially in respect to raising countless thousands of pounds for charitable causes.

You should all be very proud.

With very best wishes,

STEVE MUMFORD

Allensmore, Hereford Rail Male Voice Choir chairman

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