Nationwide Pensioners Association, Lawn Community Centre, Swindon

Last night we held our very first performance for the Nationwide Pensioners Association in Swindon. The evening had been organised through our singer Chris Scott – whose wife is a former Nationwide employee, and together they have attended many regular meetings of the Association.

The venue for the performance was the Lawn Community Centre. We have previously performed at the centre on many occasions for the Lawn Community Association – the last time being October 2019. Our singer Jack Webb informed us that the centre had previously been a public house (he has a great knowledge of that trade having managed a few himself).

Around 30 audience members arrived for the performance which started at 7:30pm. Everyone had been asked to bring along their own refreshments, and it helped to create a party atmosphere. We recognised in the audience guitarist Alan Spackman who has played for the local jazz band Four+1 on many occasions attended by members of our group. Alan provided some background sounds using Phil Hall’s guitar during our short interval break.

Our programme is shown below. We were extremely pleased to welcome back singer Roger Whitehouse for this performance after he missed our last concert. Singers who could not attend were Keith Bartlam and Phil Dyke.

1. When My Little Girl Is Smiling         

2. Sealed With A Kiss                    

3. There’ll Never Be Anyone Else     

4. Words                                          

5. Sweet Caroline                         

6. A Groovy Kind Of Love               

7. Proud Mary                           

8. Silence Is Golden                      

9. I Can See Clearly Now      

10. With A Little Help From My Friends

11. Can’t Help Falling             

12. Cliff Combo                      

<Interval>

13. Another Saturday Night          

14. All I Need Is The Air       

15. Eight Days A Week                 

16. Ginny Come Lately                 

17. Hello Mary Lou                   

18. Rhinestone Cowboy             

19. Amarillo                             

20. There’s A Kind Of Hush           

21. Peaceful Easy Feeling             

22. Oh Happy Day                  

23. Let Your Love Flow              

24. Hey Baby                                    

St Andrews Lodge, Chippenham

Yesterday afternoon we performed at this relatively new ‘Churchill Retirement Living’ home in Chippenham. This national organisation is laying on celebration parties for the Queen’s Jubilee at their many retirement homes across the country. The parties are organised for the residents as well as prospective clients. Our wives were allowed to attend, and we were joined by Lynda, Wanda and Dory.

It turned out to be a very relaxed afternoon for those attending the party. Drinks were served on arrival and the residents lounge had been decorated with bunting and flags. Patio doors were open to allow attendees to choose between inside or outdoor seating.

We recognised Jean Dummett in the audience. Her husband was a valued member of the Chippenham Male Voice Choir for many years, and Jean was a regular provider of refreshments at special times of the year. On this occasion she did not need to bring along any sausage rolls or mince pies – a cream tea was provided by the staff and served during the interval.

The display of refreshments in the residents kitchen/coffee area.

We started our entertainment around 2:30pm and sang through to 3:10pm. The cream teas were then served and we continued with the second half of music between 3:30 and 4:00pm.

Our programme is shown below. Singers missing today were Phil Dyke and Roger Whitehouse.

1. When My Little Girl Is Smiling     

2. Sealed With A Kiss                    

3. There’ll Never Be Anyone Else   

4. Words                                           

5. Sweet Caroline                       

6. A Groovy Kind Of Love               

7. Proud Mary                                   

8. Silence Is Golden                           

9. I Can See Clearly Now                 

10. With A Little Help From My Friends 

11. Can’t Help Falling     

<Interval>                

12. Another Saturday Night               

13. All I Need Is The Air          

14. Eight Days A Week                   

15. Ginny Come Lately                     

16. Hello Mary Lou                           

17. Rhinestone Cowboy                   

18. Amarillo                                   

19. There’s A Kind Of Hush