So here is my second instalment for you.  Written on November 28th

Since the first edition a great deal has happened.  A successful week in Tuscany which from my point of view went well because everybody came back safe and sound, but I suspect that you will have lots of stories about the trip from other contributors. The usual very successful joint concert with  Southend Band, our two showcase concerts were terrific and what an amazing soloist Jill Kemp is. I think that many people will see the recorder as a solo instrument in a different light. The ticket sales for our concert with Aled Jones have rocketed to over 1,000, and we have secured a prestigious spot in February for a Sunday afternoon slot at the Royal Festival Hall.
  However the very sad and upsetting news is that I achieved the ripe old age of 50. Already I am finding that the aches and pains are becoming harder to shrug off, I find that bedtime is getting earlier and that the hot milky drink has become an essential part of the routine. Pat has persuaded me that slippers are to be worn of an evening as a matter of course, I am now up twice during the night to go to the loo, and Saga have officially invited me to join their famous club. It seems like only yesterday that I was taking the regular Saturday night trek to Ilford Tiffany`s where after a few pints of Watneys Red Barrel and dancing to Slade, The Osmonds, David Bowie, and Gary Glitter, one would get the last train home after a revolting hamburger with boiled onions.

Martin Wood - Concert Manager

I refuse to let being 50 get me down too much and in fact I feel no different to the way I felt 20 years ago (mentally). The usual list of new year resolutions will again be produced, and number one will be to lose two stone in weight. Maybe I will do it as a sponsored weight loss to raise funds for the choir. Talking of fundraising, don’t forget to push the raffle tickets for the Christmas draw.
Thanks to you all for helping to make our 40th anniversary a fantastic year and a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.  Here’s to the Leigh Orpheus Male Voice Choir continuing their attempt at world domination in 2009.

Martin    

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