AFTER a decade as the first-ever non-singing Chairman of Warrington Male Voice Choir, the original “Silver fox” Bob Williams is saying a hearty farewell following a 30-year association with the group.
Next Monday, February 20, the choir will say a hearty thanks to Bob, as he steps down from his role as Chairman of the ‘award-winning’ choir, a position he has held for the past 10 years.
Bob has a long history with the choir, which stretches back more than 30 years. The association began around 1991 when the then secretary, Angus Thorburn, a work colleague at British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL), introduced him to their concerts. Bob, involved with Community Relations at BNFL, jumped at the chance to help the choir, so much so that by 1996 he had become the choir’s regular compere at major concerts and their Press & Marketing Officer, principally in charge of concert programme design.
With Bob’s assistance the choir secured a substantial 8-year sponsorship deal from BNFL which, in combination with other fund-raising activities, kept the choir financed for many years and enabled them to go on fabulous tours around the world, with Bob accompanying the choir on almost all their visits to Ireland and Northern Ireland, helping to promote peace.
In March 1997, Bob became an associate member of the choir and in 2013 he was elected to become the choir’s first ‘non-singing’ chairman since its formation in 1898.
When Bob joined the choir, it had a membership of approximately 80 men and at its Centenary fittingly achieved 100 men singing on the Parr Hall stage. These days the choir membership is in the 40’s with plans to increase this to 50 by the end of the year.
At concerts, most people recognise Bob by his distinctive silver locks and his red-compere jacket. Within the choir, he has earned the nickname ‘The Original Silver Fox’ and the red jacket is a regular feature at the choir’s wonderful ‘Christmas Voices Christmas Brass’ concerts staged, with regular guest Leyland Band, at the Parr Hall every December.
Commenting, Musical Director Russell Paterson said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Bob in his role as Chairman for the past 10 years. He has been nothing but supportive throughout that time and will be remembered as the Chairman who led the choir through the pandemic, surely the most difficult time the choir has endured.”
Commenting, Patron of Warrington Male Voice Choir, Terry Waite CBE said: “As Patron of the Warrington Male Voice Choir I would like to thank Bob Williams for all that he has given across the years. For something like 30 years Bob has been a supporter of the Choir and in recent years took the role of Chairman. Most people will know him as the compere of the many concerts that the choir performed both in Warrington and beyond. On behalf of the choir and its supporters, I would like to thank him for all that he has done.”
Bob steps down at the Choir’s Annual AGM to be held on Monday 20th February. The choir cordially invites anybody interested in joining, or finding out who the new chairman and committee will be, to attend any of our rehearsal evenings, which are held on a Monday and Thursday evening from 7.30pm at their regular rehearsal venue, Alford Hall Sports & Social Club, Manchester Road, Warrington.
Warrington Male Voice Choir thank Bob for his long service to the choir and, particularly, the last 10 years as Chairman and wish him and his wife Louise all the very best for the future.
Warrington Male Voice Choir
