Material for this potted history has been taken from the choir’s website and an article in the Cornish Times, updated by Keith Wilson and David Lashbrooke.
1923: Tommy Mark, a Polperro fisherman lay-preacher known as The Fishermen’s Bishop and Eva Cloke, the wife of a Polperro fisherman, and organist at the Chapel brought together the singing fishermen to form the first Polperro Fishermen’s Choir, to sing hymns and religious style sea songs in the village.
Eva Cloke, Musical Director.
Ruth Oliver, Accompanist.
Later, accompanists included Florrie Oliver, Eva’s sister-in-law, and Beryl Libby (later Beryl Pannewitz).
The choir uniform was a rough home knitted roll neck woollen jersey, so the choir continued the tradition of the real old days when wives and daughters knitted jumpers for their men folk and each man could be recognised by the pattern on his jumper.
Second World War: The choir disbanded.
1951: The choir was resurrected under Eva Cloke.
1951: Jack Libby joined the choir.
1968: London weekend concert.
1969: Eva Cloke, founder Musical Director, passed away on Christmas Eve as the choir were singing carols around the village.
1969: Len Rundle, Musical Director,
1969: Jack Libby, Deputy Musical Directo
1971: Jack Libby, Musical Director.
1973: The choir’s Golden Jubilee year.
1973: The first album – Sounds like Polperro.
1982: The choir adopted the black blazer and roll-necked shirt.
1983: Took part in the 1,000 Voice Concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
1987: Maisie Hall, Accompanist.
1988: Took part in a Festival of Choirs at Plymouth Guildhall and at Launceston Central Methodist Church.
1999: Jack Libby, Musical Director, retired.
1999: Phil Carrigan, Musical Director, a former Royal Marine Bandsman.
2009: The Polperro Wreckers were formed from within the choir.
2009: Isles of Scilly tour – St Mary’s and Tresco.
2010: Isle of Wight concert.
2011: Phil Carrigan, Musical Director at the Cornwall International MVC Festival.
2011: Maisie Hall, Accompanist at the Cornwall International MVC Festival.
2012: Lorraine Forsdick, Accompanist.
October 2015: Tour of Ireland with concerts in Waterford, Killarney and Dublin.
2016: Concert in Wales.
2017: Concert in Devizes which raised over £1700 for the RNLI.
2017: BBC TV present concert.
2017: Stuart Reeves, temporary Musical Director (during Phil Carrigan’s six-month break).
Involved in the Looe Music Festival since its inception.
2018: A new CD, The Magic of Polperro.
Other tours have included the Channel Islands and Quiberon in France for the memorable International Festival of Choirs.
The choir has appeared on television – both BBC and ITV – and made recordings for BBC Radio, Radio Cornwall and commercial radio.
More information can be found about the choir on its website: https://www.polperrofishermenschoir.co.uk/
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.