Women's choir celebrates being on song for 35 years
A BRISTOL women's chorus that was launched with an advertisement in the Post back in 1977 is celebrating its 35th birthday.
Bristol Fashion, which started with just eight members, has grown massively and now has 70 members ranging in age from 12 to 70 plus.
Under the direction of its current music director Craig Kehoe the chorus performs at concerts and charity events and has won numerous awards at music festivals and competitions across Bristol, the South West and nationally.
The Post advertisement inviting women to join the newly-formed chorus was spotted by two Bristol sisters Viv Hawkesby and Elaine Thompson.
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It was Elaine who decided to follow up the advert and go along to a rehearsal in the Central Hall in Old Market the following Thursday evening.
It was not long though before Viv, her sister June Binyon and mother Gladys were also hooked.
Thirty five years later, Viv is the longest-serving member of the chorus.
Viv said: "We just didn't realise how much this advert would change our lives.
"We were blown away by the sound of four part harmony singing and have enjoyed some great moments over the years. We sang on the ss Great Britain when we were looking for an unusual place to sing in a national competition, we sang at the Frogmore Street ice rink with Robin Cousins, we sang on numerous occasions at the Colston Hall for the British Legion, Armistice Day and the Lions Club.
"I have lots of very happy memories of my years singing with Bristol Fashion."
The chorus was started by chairwoman Sylvia Ogden and music director Phil Jeans with just seven other ladies, some of whose husbands sang with the successful men's chorus, the Great Western Chorus.
A celebration party for past and present members of Bristol Fashion was held over the weekend when members enjoyed dressing up in some of the previous outfits they had worn for performances.
More information about the chorus and its events schedule is available from www.bristol-fashion.org.uk.
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