This Jubilee Year marks the 40th anniversary of our choir, since its beginnings as St. Gregory’s Singers, and growing in strength to the present day as the Dawlish Choral Society.

Some founder members have been with us since the start, and kept up the enthusiasm for choral singing in this town. The retired Vicar of St Gregory’s, Rev William Lark, and his wife Josephine, remember rehearsing in the little room upstairs in the church.

The organist then was George Elliot; in later concerts we were fortunate to have Aubrey Maybin.

Under the baton of our Musical Director, Nicholas Gardiner, we have presented a wide variety of works, from the light-hearted ‘Christmas at the Manor’, featuring Gilbert & Sullivan, etc to the more serious classical repertoire. Before Covid put everything into lock-down, we performed the dramatic ‘Dido & Aeneas’ by Purcell, to great acclaim.

This year has been especially busy, beginning with Stainer’s ‘The Crucifixion’, near to Easter. This powerful work shows what excellent tenors and basses we have, with John Draisey on the organ.

This performance in St John’s Parish Church, Bishopsteignton, was a fundraising concert in aid of the roof repairs, and the audience gave generously.

Another fundraising concert was a delightful evening of ‘Great British Melodies’, in aid of the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, which realised £250. Again, this showcased a range of soloists from the choir.

The Jubilee called on our support for ‘The Commonwealth Resounds’ to be sung when the beacon was lit. We thought it prudent to pre-record it in case the weather turned wet, but it was very effective as a loyal tribute.

We aim to perform three concerts a year. This autumn, we shall offer Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ and Pergolesi’s ‘Magnificat’. They are joyful and uplifting works. We shall start rehearsals on Monday 12 September, in the Manor House in Old Town Street, starting at 7.45pm.

We are looking to building up our numbers again after Covid, so if you know singers who are thinking of giving it a try, do come along.

We are a friendly welcoming group, and new members will soon feel at home.

Our contact is the chairman, Ailsa Spackman, Tel: 01626 891584.