CHESTER CHOIR UNVEILS NEW PARK BENCH IN MEMORY OF FOUNDER

Members of Chester Male Voice Choir gathered in Chester's Grosvenor Park recently to cut the ribbon on the bench which is dedicated to the memory of choir founder and original Musical Director Fred Warren.

The new bench replaced an original one sited in the park's rose garden which had become dilapidated over the years and had to be removed for safety reasons. The choir set up a JustGiving page which raised half of the £1000 needed for the new bench and plaque, with choir members chipping in to make up the remainder. 

The new bench has been sited in the same spot in the rose garden as the original one with a new plaque in memory of Mr Warren who founded the choir - originally known as The Cestrian Male Voice Choir in 1941. Several choir members attended a ribbon cutting ceremony when the bench was officially unveiled by choir chairman Richard Marks. 

Now in its 85th year, Chester Male Voice Choir is an award-winning choir with a membership of over 50 singing members led by its Musical Director Joe Mann and principal accompanist Helen Jackson. Since its first overseas tour to Prague in 1971, the Choir has undertaken concert tours abroad to Germany, Holland, the United States of America, France and Malta and has also toured extensively throughout the UK. The Choir has sung in the presence of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the Royal Family, has made numerous recordings and has appeared on Television and Radio on several occasions. The choir has a busy annual programme of concerts and other events including upcoming Autumn and Christmas concerts. 

In keeping with the choir's motto  - "Sing, Inspire, Support", it has raised many thousands of pounds for charitable and other good causes, and has performed in many of the great concert halls throughout the country including the Royal Albert Hall. The choir has also been given the honour of performing in several of the great cathedrals in the UK and Europe including Notre Dame, Paris, Rheims, Sens, St David's, Manchester, Liverpool and Chester. The choir is always keen to expand its membership, and potential new members are always given a warm welcome at frequently held taster sessions. 

Further details of Chester Male Voice Choir can be found at: 

www.chestermalevoice.com

Pictured - Joined by fellow choir members, Richard Marks, Chair of Chester Male Voice Choir cuts the ribbon on the new Fred Warren memorial bench in Chester's Grosvenor Park.

(Picture credit: Chester Male Voice Choir)