Sunday, July 5 2015 was a special day for our Choir Vice President Raymond Bartley and his wife, Dorothy.
It was Raymond’s fifth Civic Service as Mayor of Denbigh. A record for Denbigh, I think. As he had done for the previous four, he invited the choir to perform at the service in Capel Mawr.
Loyalty Repaid to Choir Vice President
It was an opportunity for repayment. A small fraction for the long standing loyalty and support that Raymond has shown to the choir.
To hold the much respected position of Mayor and First Citizen of one’s home town once is an honour.
But five mayoral occasions is a clear reflection of the high esteem for that person.
Mayoral Greeting
Raymond and his wife, Dorothy, together with Medwyn Jones, Town Clerk, greeted everyone attending.
The Order of Service showed that Raymond had chosen five congregational hymns. All were choir favourites.
Invited dignatories from neighbouring towns, local residents, friends and supporters assembled in the Chapel.
When all had entered the Reverend Wayne Roberts, the Mayor’s Chaplain, started the service.
The singing of the first hymn to the tune of Pen Parc set the tone for what was to come.
Choir Vice President Music Choice
Raymond read out Psalm 23. The choir made its first contribution by performing ‘Y Ddau Wladgarwr.’ Then Sunset Poem (Eli Jenkins’ Prayer) from Dylan Thomas’ play ‘Under Milk Wood’.
Other hymns chosen by Raymond included ‘Finlandia,’ and ‘Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah.’ The congregation and choir alike sang with gusto.
For the second set, the choir performed ‘God’s Choir’ and ‘Yn Y Man.’ This has become a firm favourite since its inclusion into our repertoire.
The collection taken will be for St Kentigern Hospice.
This worthy cause is close to the choir’s heart at the moment.
After the service I asked Raymond if the choir would be likely to sing at any further Civic Service. In the event should he become Mayor again.
Dorothy felt that this one was his last, but in Raymond’s response I detected a feeling of ‘Never say never.’
Best Wishes to Choir Vice President
Raymond has only been choir vice president for 14 months and we are already working him hard.
An integral part when we invited the Avon & Somerset Constabulary Male Voice Choir to be our guests.
He welcomed our visitors to Denbigh and also attended our joint concert.
At the end of the concert he presented a Denbigh Civic Plaque to the visiting choir chairman.
The choir would like to thank Raymond for his contribution to what was a successful weekend.
We also take this opportunity to wish him and Dorothy a fruitful and enjoyable fifth term of office.
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