CHOIR HISTORY

The choir, which is based at the Leamington Spa branch of the Royal Naval Association, was founded in 1972 by a handful of matelots who, having completed their service with the Royal Navy or Royal Marines, and having moved as far away from the sea as is possible in the British Isles, were looking for suitable ways to while away their spare time. Over the intervening years, the choir has grown in size and has been augmented by a number of "civilians" and is currently over 20 strong.

Each year we help to raise considerable sums for a range of charities by staging a dozen or so concerts in concert halls and churches within a 30 mile radius of Leamington Spa. In addition, we frequently combine with other choirs in order to stage much larger events. For examples of major events in recent years, see "major events attended"

In October 1997 the choir celebrated its Silver Jubilee by staging a grand Charity Concert in the Guy Nelson Hall in Warwick, for which we were joined by two other choirs plus a soprano soloist and brass ensemble.

One of the highlights of 1999 was a "twinning" visit to Villebon sur Yvette near Paris (France) in June, where the Choir gave a concert in conjunction with a local mixed choir, and also took part in a special commemorative church service. The visit was made at the invitation of the Whitnash Twinning Association. This was the choir's first - but not last - experience of twinning, as will be seen below.

In September 2000, the Choir staged a charity concert - in conjunction with the Cubbington Silver Band - in the new School Hall of the Kingsley School in Leamington Spa. At this single event, over £1000 was raised to assist with the cost of the new Accident and Emergency Unit at Warwick Hospital.

In May 2002, the choir was involved in a "return match" for the 1999 twinning event. Again, through the good offices of the Whitnash Twinning Association, a choir from Villebon sur Yvette visited the Leamington area, and staged a joint concert with the RNA Choir in St. Margaret's Church, Whitnash. The weekend also included a number of social events.to mark the 10th anniversary of the twinning of Whitnash with Villebon. 

In the intervening years, the choir has continued to raise considerable sums for charity each year. In September 2008 the magnificent sum of £1500 was raised in a single concert, staged to assist with the restoration of Radford Semele Church following a disastrous fire earlier in the year.

The Choir's has had only four Musical Directors in its long history, two of the previous incumbants having served for very long periods. The current MD - Roger Mills - who has been a member of the choir and Deputy Conductor for many years, took over in May 2007.

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