WHILE Warrington Male Voice Choir are unable to rehearse together for real, perform live or even stage an AGM thanks to the current COVID-19 lockdown situation, it hasn’t stopped the annual presentation of the Higham Award.
Funded by and named after the late Geoff Higham, who had been a member of the choir for nearly 62 years when he died in 2016, the award each year recognises the effort of a particular member.
Announcing 1st Tenor Keith Read as the 2020 winner, during the choirs zoom rehearsal on Monday (6 July 2020), Chairman Bob Williams said: “Keith is a supportive, committed, enthusiastic, caring and occasionally funny, member.
He’s always willing to get involved – do jobs when needed and thankfully he’s got a pretty decent voice, decent enough that he’s performed as a concert soloist. He’s recovering from recent surgery but, as is typical of him, he was back on these zoom rehearsals as soon as he could be. Keith supports that Merseyside team who, have taken temporary charge of the Premiership trophy, now he has his own trophy to get excited about”.
The award was presented by one of the choirs’ hard working tea ladies – who also happens to be Keith’s lovely wife. Anita.
A very surprised and embarrassed Keith, who’s been a member of the choir for over 26 years, said: “I’ve chuffed to mint balls. I feel like Jordan Henderson (Liverpool FC captain). It means a lot to me receiving this award. Geoff Higham was a great friend of mine in the choir.”
