There was a slow start to January due to bad weather. In February the Chorus sang
at Central Methodist Church, Green Street, Morecambe, along with other choirs, at
Carr Hill College, Kirkham, in a mixed concert, and at Blackpool’s Hilton Hotel.
Harmony Express sang at Wellington Park Hotel, Leyland.
In March, Harmony Express sang for Great Eccleston WI.
In April, Four to the Bar had their first singout, at a wedding reception. The Chorus
took part in a St Georges Day concert with the Rosettes.
New walk-out jackets and trousers were bought.
Convention was at Harrogate and the Chorus came 33rd out of 37. Much discussion followed
this result, to try to find ways to improve,
In July there was a singout at Archbishop Temple School, conducted by Ted Stark.
It was very wet and the singing had to take place in the school’s gym. The school
raised £6500 and the Chorus were asked to help again next year.
On August 12th some members of the Chorus sang at Bernard Dickinson’s funeral. At
the practice on that day ‘a special brown jug’ was handed over to Ted Stark. It had
originally been presented to Tom Smyth, in 1992 by the chairman of The Red Rose Chorus
in Pennsylvania, Ted had a good day as his 25-year pin was handed back to him after
he had lost it in Harrogate and it was found by the gardener at the Alvera Hotel.
September saw 9 members of the Chorus demonstrating their skills for a Preston FM
broadcast, at Preston College. Learn to Sing day was on September 18th.
Harmony Express took fifth place in the International Quartet Contest at the Irish
Convention in Limerick, followed by third place in the International Quartet category
for Entertainment. The quartet also entered the Seniors Class in the Quartet Prelims
in Birmingham and came seventh. Four to the Bar qualified to sing in the semi finals
at Llandudno in 2011.
From October, monthly practices took place on Sundays, as extra preparation for Convention.
There were several other singout events during the year, not specifically mentioned
above.
