Much of the material for this potted history has been taken from the St Keverne Male Voice Choir fiftieth year’s souvenir programme for which we appreciate Terry Moyle’s permission to use.
Second World War: Increased production in the local quarries brought many lorry drivers to the area – some, it seems, brought their love of singing with them. One of the men involved in the quarrying was Mr H P (Joe) Richards of Falmouth who had been a musical director of both brass bands and choirs.
Billy Moyle of St. Keverne was a lorry driver at the quarry and was instrumental in calling a public meeting to discuss the possibility of forming a male voice choir in the village. As a result of this meeting on 22nd April 1944 St Keverne Male Voice Choir was formed.
Mr. H. P. Richards (always referred to as Uncle Joe) was appointed the Musical Director and Miriam Moyle, the Accompanist.
The very first concert was given in the St. Keverne Parish Room in aid of the Welcome Home Fund and £120 was raised. By this time, however, many of the original lorry drivers had left the area but their places were taken by local men.
1945: The first photograph of the St. Keverne MVC
Back row L-R Archie Combellack, Edward Leggo, Percy Lambrick, Dick Rogers, Reggie Roberts, Bert Ivey, unknown, Henry Lyne, Jack Humphreys, Jim Lawrence, R. Stevens, Sidney Curnow.
Front row L-R Billy Moyle, Freddie Kevern, John Lambrick, R. Smitheram, Noel Treneer, Hubert Hicks, Frank Curnow, H.P. Richards (M.D.), Arthur Thomas, Jim Eddy, Lewis Morrish, Billy Bosustow, Dick Nicholls, Bert Rogers
1946-1948: Winners of the Bolitho Shield (Junior Section) at the Cornwall Music Festival. The choir was then promoted to the First Section. During the late 1940s and 1950s the choir was fortunate to have a large number of soloists who contributed to contest work and concerts.
St Keverne MVC (Photo: Terry Moyle)
Following the death of “Uncle Joe” Richards in 1958, Eric Cooke from Falmouth (who lodged at Pednavounder) took over temporarily until April 1958 when Jack Boaden from Cury was appointed. He was the organist and choirmaster at Cury Chapel.
MVC at St. Just late 1950s (Photo: Terry Moyle)
Back row L-R – unknown, Percy Lambrick, Jim Lawrence, unknown, Dick Coad.
Middle row – Courtenay Thomas, Reggie Roberts, Bert Ivey, Hartley Tripp, Barry Lugg, Michael Bosustow, Ray Bowcher, unknown. Front row – Billy Moyle, Noel Treneer, Freddie Kevern, Godfrey Smitheram, Lionel Curnow, unknown, John Pearce, Dick Nicholls, Bert Rogers.
Jack Boaden (M.D.), Miriam Moyle (accompanist), Lewis Morrish (Chairman)
In 1966, following the resignation of Jack Boaden, Hubert Hicks, the choirmaster at St. Keverne Church, was appointed the Musical Director and Hubert remained at the helm until his retirement in 1995.
At Cadgwith (Photo: Terry Moyle)
1975: St Keverne Male Voice Choir (Photo: Paul Yockney)
Throughout its history the choir has raised thousands of pounds for charity and local organisations and has given concerts throughout Cornwall and Devon and in the 1980s in South Wales where a close musical relationship was built up with the Pontypool MVC. The choir has taken part in many radio broadcasts including a Christmas carol link up with Australia and in October 1968 in “Songs of Praise” from St. Keverne Chapel.
1992: St Keverne Male Voice Choir (Photo: Paul Yockney)
1994: St Keverne Male Voice Choir (Photo: Paul Yockney)
1994 the Choir celebrated its Golden Jubilee.
Hubert Hicks, Musical Director.
Mrs Barbara Wright, Deputy Musical Director.
Miriam Moyle, Accompanist.
Mrs Nellie Retallack, Deputy Accompanist.
Mrs Margaret Bilkey, Deputy Accompanist.
22nd October 1994: The choir sang with other Cornish MVCs at the Royal Albert Hall in a Festival of Cornish Male Voice Choirs.
1995: The three surviving members of the choir retired after 51 years of service – Hubert Hicks, the Musical Director, Billy Moyle, tenor soloist and former choir secretary, and Miriam Moyle, the accompanist. On Hubert’s retirement, Ruth Martin took over as Musical Director and David Tutton as accompanist.
14th October 2000: The choir again took part in a Festival of Cornish Male Vice Choirs at The Albert Hall together with St. Keverne Youth Band under Musical Director Derek Greenwood. Tours of Somerset followed in 2001 and Ireland in 2004. Ruth Martin resigned soon after the Ireland tour to be replaced by Ian Edwards, a local St. Keverne man, who remained until December 2011.
2009: Two concerts in Somerset as guests of the Minehead Male Voice Choir.
January 2012: Paul Triggs took over the baton.
January 2013: The choir’s practice venue changed from St Keverne Church hall to Helston, a move which increased membership.
September 2013: The choir received £4,200 from the Goonhilly Wind farm Community Fund towards new uniforms and the purchase of sheet music.
2013: Paul Triggs, Musical Director at the Cornwall International MVC Festival.
2013: David Turton, Accompanist at the Cornwall International MVC Festival.
September 2014: The choir celebrated its 70th Anniversary with a concert in St Michael’s Church, Helston together with Marazion Apollo and Stythians Male Voice Choirs.
October 2014 Paul Triggs resigned to be succeeded by Alistair Taylor.
November 2014: The choir changed its name to Kerrier Male Choir.
2016: Roger Pinsent took over for a short time as the M.D. and was succeeded by Janette Eathorne.
We are indebted to Terry Moyle for his help with this article.
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.