The inspiration for the formation of the Loveny Male Voice Choir came from a Cornishman from St Neot – Alan Pascoe. This potted history has been compiled using material from the choir’s website including the memories of Pam Pascoe, Alan’s wife.
1971: The first discussion regarding the formation of a male voice choir in St Neot took place in the London Inn, St Neot, between Jack Haley (the then landlord), Fred Best and Alan Pascoe. Arthur Sweet then helped list and approach known singers in the area.
Autumn 1971: The embryonic choir first gathered at Alan Pascoe’s home, Carnglaze, St Neot.
1971: Reg Bennets, Musical Director – a very experienced and talented musician.
“Later, when the choir needed to buy further music, they decided to pass around a hat to collect money, which enabled them to purchase just one sheet of music for the pianist – Alan’s wife, Pamela. Music for choristers was laboriously written out onto strips of wallpaper and secured with bamboo canes and clothes pegs over the Carnglaze fireplace for rehearsals.”
February 1972: The first officers appointed.
March 1972: Practices began – in St Neot Institute.
1972: Tom Pickard, Musical Director.
7th May 1972: First public performance – Warleggan Chapel.
27th October 1972: Elizabeth Tamblyn, Accompanist.
November 1972: The choir gave seven concerts in one month – at St Neot, Liskeard Public Hall, Trevadlock, Cardinham, Hocking’s House (St Cleer), Roche and Helland.
The choir comprised less than 20 members.
1976: Tom Pickard collapsed during a concert in Morval Village Hall and never recovered.
Mrs Thelma Tucker, Musical Director.
1978: Nick Hart, Musical Director.
Mrs Thelma Tucker, Accompanist.
1980: Mrs Elizabeth Tamblyn, Accompanist.
The Choir’s repertoire changed from “simple sacred songs and stalwart old faithfuls” to a more innovative choral sound.
The choir’s name became that of the river – the River Loveny.
The Choirs badge designed by Gwen Case – a blue ribbon (representing the river) laid across a green oak leaf representing the oak bough which has been hoisted to the top of St Neot Church each year since 1660.
The choir’s uniform was inspired by the colours of the slate produced at Carnglaze Caverns – “St Neot Blues”.
1982: Joined the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs.
1983: Took part in the 1,000 Voice Concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
1986: Took part in the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs’ concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
1983: Represented East Cornwall at the first Cornish Esethvos.
1986: Competed and won the Cornwall Open Choir Championship.
1988: Competed at the Welsh Eisteddfod in Llangollen.
1988: Took part in the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs’ concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
1988: Competed and won the Cornwall Open Choir Championship.
1991: Competed and won the Cornwall Open Choir Championship.
Christmas 1991: Two television broadcasts – Esther Rantzen’s Hearts of Gold and a Grand Christmas Concert on ITV with Benjamin Luxon as the celebrity soloist.
1994: Gerry Hillman, Musical Director.
1994: Competed at the Welsh Eisteddfod in Llangollen.
1995: Alan Pascoe died but his dream and inspiration “sings on” in every concert given by Loveny Male Voice Choir. His words: “Our music has enabled us to create a vital new force within our Community and, in enriching the Community we have enriched ourselves”.
1997: Michael Johnston, Musical Director.
1998: Mike Kempster, Musical Director.
2000: Nick Hart, Musical Director.
2000: Took part in the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs’ concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
2001: Rosemary Cole, Musical Director.
2006: Dorothy Andrews, Musical Director.
2011: Dorothy Andrews, Musical Director at the Cornwall Interntional MVC Festival.
2011: Sarah Scott, Accompanist at the Cornwall Interntional MVC Festival.
2012: Richard Braebrook, Musical Director.
2013: Dorothy Andrews, Musical Director at the Cornwall Interntional MVC Festival.
2013: Sarah Scott, Accompanist at the Cornwall Interntional MVC Festival.
2013: Took part in the Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs’ concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
May 2015: The choir entered the Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival, both competition and concert, at the Hall for Cornwall and was awarded the St Stythians Trophy for best Cornish Choir of 40 voices and under.
2016: Colin Arthur, Musical Director.
2016: Brittany tour.
2017: Marcus Alleyne, Musical Director.
Further information about the choir can be found here: https://www.lovenymvc.co.uk/ including the story of the choir by Pam Pascoe.
If you would like to amend or add to this page then please leave a comment and we will be in touch.
This is a part of the Cornish National Music Archive (CNMA) project to Collect, Preserve and Share our Cornish Heritage and Culture.
I don’t suppose anyone has a recording of the Cornish Christmas TV programme do they? I taped the programme, and enjoyed it at Christmas every year until my tape wore out and wouldn’t play any more. I’d dearly love to watch it again.
Thanks on the off chance!
Amanda