2017
2017 was an awesome year, which unbelievably saw us celebrating our 5th Birthday: where does the time go! It doesn’t seem five minutes since we held our first rehearsal on the 25th June 2012, attended by sixteen members – all ladies! It was to be a further eight weeks before the first of the gentlemen joined our ranks. We have come so far in the intervening years, growing in number, confidence and technical ability. Many friendships have their foundations in the Choir and there permeates throughout an atmosphere of mutual support and understanding in which no one need feel alone on their cancer pathway or as they move forward with life after cancer.
We started shaping 2017 some two years earlier to ensure it would be a memorable time for us. We wanted to mark the occasion in a way befitting of this key milestone and so it was that we took to the stage of the Victoria Hall, Bolton, on Saturday 25th June, for ‘Melodies Of Stage & Screen’.
In a first for us, our guest musicians were the talented and highly professional, Salford Symphony Orchestra and our vocal co-stars – the impressive Affetside Choir: Bolton-born Actor Nicholas Gleaves did us the great honour of taking on the role of Compere for the evening, sprinkling a little more stardust in our eyes!
No matter how many times you might be lucky enough to perform with an Orchestra, I don’t think you ever forget your first experience when your hair stands on end, shivers tap-dance down your spine and it feels like your chest will all-but explode! The night was electrifying – everything and more that we hoped it would be.
To keep the celebrations going and the challenges forthcoming, we announced to gasps of disbelief and a crescendo of excitement, our intention to participate in the ‘Festival Of Brass and Voices’, at the iconic Royal Albert Hall, London, in November 2018.
With never a dull moment, in September we threw ourselves into our first Macmillan Coffee Morning: an opportunity for us to express our appreciation to Macmillan Cancer Support for their crucial financial backing of the Bolton Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service, which is a much-needed and invaluable resource for our community. Joined by Bolton Caledonian Pipe Band, Paul Thornton – guitarist and Tutti Flutti – flute ensemble and supported by the Victoria Hall, we were awash with yummy cakes and uplifting music: though sadly foul weather deterred all but the hardiest from venturing out and enjoying a morning of fabulous entertainment. Thanks also to the staff and volunteers from the Cancer Information and Support Service, who came along giving access to the Service outside of their normal opening hours.
It was a great honour to receive an invitation from Ramsbottom Music Festival to appear in their Silver Jubilee Concert, raising money for Bury Hospice: the night was a showcase of amazing talent.
By this point December was already in sight and with it came our 4th annual ‘Jingle Bell Sing-A-Long’ concert. It was fantastic to again welcome the ever-popular, extremely busy, Greater Manchester Police Band, as our guest musicians; under the baton of their new Conductor – Alex Webb. As always, it was so good to see our friends who join us as extended Choir members for the event.
Our final performance of the year was a Christmas concert at Horwich Spiritualist Church and though the weather outside was frightful, the welcome was warm and exuded festive spirit.
Interspersed with our performance commitments we enjoyed a varied smattering of other events and activities. The ladies were treated to a wonderful ‘Look Good Feel Better’ makeup Masterclass, which was both fun and informative: with a Bring & Share Supper, it provided us with some quality, well-deserved down time. Organized by one of our members, a Theatre Supper at Bolton Little Theatre was a well-supported fundraiser for the Choir and a great night out: what a gem of a venue, with some very talented actors, stage crew and front of house team. Thanks to another member we were privileged to benefit from a donation of quality new and nearly new clothing, and with the generous support of Bolton Marketplace, she opened a two-day Pop-Up Shop.
Sadly this year our Treasurer – Pam Livesey – retired her calculator. She believed in the Choir when others didn’t and took up the mantle when we didn’t have a penny to our name. Pam has been a loyal and hardworking official and her wit and wisdom have saved my sanity on more than one occasion! I will sorely miss having her by my side: I know she will continue to be one of our greatest supporters. Bolton Cancer Voices and I personally, will always be indebted to Pam for all she has done.
Replacing Pam was never going to be easy! We didn’t just want someone looking for a position as a Treasurer, we were seeking an individual who wanted to be Treasurer of Bolton Cancer Voices – there’s a huge difference! After an exhaustive and exhausting search, I’m absolutely delighted to say that we appointed Emma Willder to the role. Emma will be a real asset to us, bringing the right skill set along with a keen appreciation of our aims and the passion to be a key part of all we do.
Two Singing Workshops: a Birthday Bash at the Rivington Bar and Grill, complete with an awesome Birthday cake made by another of our multi-talented members: and a return to Grappa Restaurant at the Crofters for our Christmas meal, where as always, David and his brilliant team did us proud and Father Christmas dropped in to distribute Secret Santa pressies, brought another year of wonderful times and happy memories to a close.
We’re on a truly amazing journey with so much more to achieve, aspire to and share together.
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2017
2017 was an awesome year, which unbelievably saw us celebrating our 5th Birthday: where does the time go! It doesn’t seem five minutes since we held our first rehearsal on the 25th June 2012, attended by sixteen members – all ladies! It was to be a further eight weeks before the first of the gentlemen joined our ranks. We have come so far in the intervening years, growing in number, confidence and technical ability. Many friendships have their foundations in the Choir and there permeates throughout an atmosphere of mutual support and understanding in which no one need feel alone on their cancer pathway or as they move forward with life after cancer.
We started shaping 2017 some two years earlier to ensure it would be a memorable time for us. We wanted to mark the occasion in a way befitting of this key milestone and so it was that we took to the stage of the Victoria Hall, Bolton, on Saturday 25th June, for ‘Melodies Of Stage & Screen’.
In a first for us, our guest musicians were the talented and highly professional, Salford Symphony Orchestra and our vocal co-stars – the impressive Affetside Choir: Bolton-born Actor Nicholas Gleaves did us the great honour of taking on the role of Compere for the evening, sprinkling a little more stardust in our eyes!
No matter how many times you might be lucky enough to perform with an Orchestra, I don’t think you ever forget your first experience when your hair stands on end, shivers tap-dance down your spine and it feels like your chest will all-but explode! The night was electrifying – everything and more that we hoped it would be.
To keep the celebrations going and the challenges forthcoming, we announced to gasps of disbelief and a crescendo of excitement, our intention to participate in the ‘Festival Of Brass and Voices’, at the iconic Royal Albert Hall, London, in November 2018.
With never a dull moment, in September we threw ourselves into our first Macmillan Coffee Morning: an opportunity for us to express our appreciation to Macmillan Cancer Support for their crucial financial backing of the Bolton Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service, which is a much-needed and invaluable resource for our community. Joined by Bolton Caledonian Pipe Band, Paul Thornton – guitarist and Tutti Flutti – flute ensemble and supported by the Victoria Hall, we were awash with yummy cakes and uplifting music: though sadly foul weather deterred all but the hardiest from venturing out and enjoying a morning of fabulous entertainment. Thanks also to the staff and volunteers from the Cancer Information and Support Service, who came along giving access to the Service outside of their normal opening hours.
It was a great honour to receive an invitation from Ramsbottom Music Festival to appear in their Silver Jubilee Concert, raising money for Bury Hospice: the night was a showcase of amazing talent.
By this point December was already in sight and with it came our 4th annual ‘Jingle Bell Sing-A-Long’ concert. It was fantastic to again welcome the ever-popular, extremely busy, Greater Manchester Police Band, as our guest musicians; under the baton of their new Conductor – Alex Webb. As always, it was so good to see our friends who join us as extended Choir members for the event.
Our final performance of the year was a Christmas concert at Horwich Spiritualist Church and though the weather outside was frightful, the welcome was warm and exuded festive spirit.
Interspersed with our performance commitments we enjoyed a varied smattering of other events and activities. The ladies were treated to a wonderful ‘Look Good Feel Better’ makeup Masterclass, which was both fun and informative: with a Bring & Share Supper, it provided us with some quality, well-deserved down time. Organized by one of our members, a Theatre Supper at Bolton Little Theatre was a well-supported fundraiser for the Choir and a great night out: what a gem of a venue, with some very talented actors, stage crew and front of house team. Thanks to another member we were privileged to benefit from a donation of quality new and nearly new clothing, and with the generous support of Bolton Marketplace, she opened a two-day Pop-Up Shop.
Sadly this year our Treasurer – Pam Livesey – retired her calculator. She believed in the Choir when others didn’t and took up the mantle when we didn’t have a penny to our name. Pam has been a loyal and hardworking official and her wit and wisdom have saved my sanity on more than one occasion! I will sorely miss having her by my side: I know she will continue to be one of our greatest supporters. Bolton Cancer Voices and I personally, will always be indebted to Pam for all she has done.
Replacing Pam was never going to be easy! We didn’t just want someone looking for a position as a Treasurer, we were seeking an individual who wanted to be Treasurer of Bolton Cancer Voices – there’s a huge difference! After an exhaustive and exhausting search, I’m absolutely delighted to say that we appointed Emma Willder to the role. Emma will be a real asset to us, bringing the right skill set along with a keen appreciation of our aims and the passion to be a key part of all we do.
Two Singing Workshops: a Birthday Bash at the Rivington Bar and Grill, complete with an awesome Birthday cake made by another of our multi-talented members: and a return to Grappa Restaurant at the Crofters for our Christmas meal, where as always, David and his brilliant team did us proud and Father Christmas dropped in to distribute Secret Santa pressies, brought another year of wonderful times and happy memories to a close.
We’re on a truly amazing journey with so much more to achieve, aspire to and share together.