On 29th January, 2011, Tamworth Male Voice Choir was invited to be guests at the Tamworth Soroptimists Charity Evening entitled ‘Let Us Entertain You’. The concert was held at The Coton Centre and was a sell-out.  The evening deserved to be so successful as the entertainment on display was brilliant. Apart from us, the audience was also treated to a performance by Tamworth Ladies Choir and, as a contrast to our ‘more mature’ members, we were also treated to a wonderful short set by Dosthill School’s Choir led by Sue Crompton The Aimee Louise School of Dance enchanted us with very polished performances by their older dancers as well as their junior section. ‘Messy Lyrics’, a group of dancers from Wilnecote High School were also excellent, although the highlight for many would have been the very entertaining and touching performance given by musicians from Two Rivers Violin Group brilliantly led by Alan Brown. It was a heart-warming performance and a delight for every single member of the audience to see such young children clearly enjoying themselves enormously. Michael Evans gave a polished performance of Guns ‘N’ Roses’ Sweet Child of Mine and Keith Layton, Pat Nixon and Rosemary Walton were also very entertaining. Topping the bill was Lisa Waddingham, a former resident of Tamworth who had understudied for the main role of Christine in Phantom of the Opera back in the nineties. Such a professional performance rounded off the evening perfectly. Many of the performers joined us on stage for the finale of Land of Hope and Glory. The evening was compered by the inimitable Rhona Pownell and all the proceeds, around £4500, were donated to The Alzheimer’s Society. I hope the Soroptimists repeat this concert in the future and I hope our choir are invited back. It was a great night and a huge sum was raised for a very worthwhile cause.

David Maugham