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December 1, 2021
Historic Moment for The Kingsmen
He had an idea to see what interest there might be in forming a men’s Barbershop harmony chorus. That was 30 years ago in the Autumn of 1991. Roy Hann (Founder and Honorary Life President) could never imagine what he had started when 12 men turned up at the Crabshell Inn, Kingsbridge all those years ago. Fast forward 30 years and looking back with pride at the achievements of the Kingsmen, he has decided to hand over the role of Musical Director to assistant MD,Gary Rowe.
‘It’s truly wonderful and a great achievement to members past and present that the Club is still going after all these years,’ said Roy, ‘But we’re in really good shape. We kept up with rehearsals during the lockdowns and we’re getting ready for probably our busiest Christmas ever and looking forward to 2022 – which kicks off with a free 6 week ‘Learn to Sing in Harmony Course’ in January’.
New Musical Director, Gary Rowe with Roy Hann at the recent Kingsmen 30 year anniversary celebrations at the Thurlestone Hotel.
Gary has been singing with the Kingsmen for the last 16 years and has been its Assistant Musical Director for the past 8 years. So the Chorus is in ‘another pair of good hands’ going forward and the handover from Roy to Gary has been taking place now for some months.
At a handover at rehearsals at the South Hams Christian Fellowship Chapel in Fore Street on Wednesday, chairman Stuart Newberry reflected on Roy’s vision and commitment over those 30 years and thanked him for the enormous part he has played in bringing so much joy to the 150 or so men who have sung with the chorus over the years. ‘The Kingsmen is much more than about singing. It’s about friendship. It’s about family. It’s about connection, where a group of men join together, being sensitive to each other as we sing in harmony. It’s a lesson for life, really’, said Stuart.
In welcoming Gary, Stuart congratulated him on his appointment and promised that the chorus would work with him to ensure the Kingsmen continue as before, to entertain and bring enjoyment to so many people through singing.
Gary is looking forward to his new role. ‘'Wow, it is a huge honour to be the Kingsmen's new Musical Director. I am excited about the future and hope to share our music and friendship with as many people as possible, also supporting local charities and bringing hope and joy to all.’
You can see the Kingsmen at The Watermark in Ivybridge on Friday 10th December at 7pm. Tickets are available via the Watermark Box Office 01752 892220 or by clicking here
If you’d like to know more about our free ‘Learn to Sing in Harmony’ course then check our website for further information.
LATEST FROM THE BLOG
After a great summer with performances at South Pool's "Up The Creek" event and the August Bank Holiday "Hope Cove Weekend" we are pleased to announce that we will be soon performing at Malborough Village Hall. Please come and join us on Friday 9th October when we perform at the Rotary Charity Concert supporting Kingsbridge in Bloom, a local charity whose volunteers work tirelessly to enhance the natural beauty of Kingsbridge. For ticket details please use the following link: www.estuaryrotary.org.uk , or for more information please click on the image below. Hope to see you there.
It's difficult to think of a better way to spend an evening than with the joy and harmony of song; enriched by the camaraderie, fun and friendship associated with being a member of a Chorus; and blessed by the sharing of precious moments with family and friends - all gathering to celebrate success; recognise and reward achievement; and mark significant milestones. But this is what the Kingsmen Barbershop Harmony Chorus https://www.kingsmen.org.uk/ has just done; and done in style. On display to greet attendees at the Awards Evening were items from the Club's archives, including an array of scrap books containing photographs and articles telling the story of the Club from the very first rehearsal attended by 12 guys at the Crabshell Pub in Kingsbridge in the Autumn of 1991; through tours (including 3 to the USA); results from competitions; and money (well over £100k) raised for various Charities. And inevitably, the page turning led to the sharing of stories, laughter and the recollection of happy memories. Chairman Paul Harvey opened proceedings with a warm Kingsmen welcome and handed over to Stu Newberry who took on the role as Master of Ceremonies. Stu guided attendees through the presentation and award of: the Harmony Award (recipient Kevin Hamer); the Jack Nation Trophy (recipient Chris Lambart); the Director's Award (recipient Ian Wooler); and the Barbershopper of the Year Award (recipient Kevin Hamer). Several Kingsmen also received Long Service Awards (the Club is a Member of the British Association of Barbershop Singers - https://www.singbarbershop.com/ ). 10 Year Badges were presented to Jim Stewart, Terry Weeks; Kevin Hamer and Ian Wooler (and will be to Charles Harrington, Geoff Sharps and Shaun Fewtrell - all of whom were unable to attend the event); a 20 Year Badge was presented to Gary Rowe; and 30 Year Badges were presented to Tim Wyatt and Steve Hancock. The evening culminated with the presentation by Chairman Paul Harvey of a special award - to Roy Hann, who founded the Chorus back in 1991 and who was the Musical Director for 30 years. The award was a glass trophy engraved with the words 'From your Brothers in Harmony. In celebration of your unwavering dedication, musical passion, and your 35 year milestone in founding the Chorus'. And you've guessed it - the celebrations continued at an Afterglow at a local pub, where more singing, fun and friendship was in abundance. Fancy having a go at singing? Want to join in the fun? If so, why not come along to one of our Rehearsals? You'll be guaranteed of receiving a big, warm Kingsmen welcome - and who knows, this time next year, you could be an award winner! For further information about the Kingsmen and Membership check out the following links: https://www.kingsmen.org.uk/become-a-member and https://www.kingsmen.org.uk/
Serene, Scenic, Spectacular
Howdy....
It's been Kingsbridge Fair Week recently and it was a joy to help kick things off to a great musical start. Dressed in our best and brightest Hawaiian shirts, the Kingsmen sang and entertained a lively audience from the Bandstand in the Town Square on an afternoon and evening of local entertainment, which ended with a firework display. If you were one of the men in the audience who enjoyed our performance and you like singing, then why not come along and visit us on a rehearsal night and join in the fun and camaraderie https://www.kingsmen.org.uk/become-a-member Kingsbridge is the hometown of the Kingsmen and we are celebrating our 35 anniversary this year. We like nothing better than supporting local events and charities; so keep an eye on the Upcoming Events link on our website to find out where we are singing and performing over the coming weeks and months. Hope to see you there! https://www.kingsmen.org.uk/ With thanks to Rebecca Rowe for taking these photos.
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After a great summer with performances at South Pool's "Up The Creek" event and the August Bank Holiday "Hope Cove Weekend" we are pleased to announce that we will be soon performing at Malborough Village Hall. Please come and join us on Friday 9th October when we perform at the Rotary Charity Concert supporting Kingsbridge in Bloom, a local charity whose volunteers work tirelessly to enhance the natural beauty of Kingsbridge. For ticket details please use the following link: www.estuaryrotary.org.uk , or for more information please click on the image below. Hope to see you there.
It's difficult to think of a better way to spend an evening than with the joy and harmony of song; enriched by the camaraderie, fun and friendship associated with being a member of a Chorus; and blessed by the sharing of precious moments with family and friends - all gathering to celebrate success; recognise and reward achievement; and mark significant milestones. But this is what the Kingsmen Barbershop Harmony Chorus https://www.kingsmen.org.uk/ has just done; and done in style. On display to greet attendees at the Awards Evening were items from the Club's archives, including an array of scrap books containing photographs and articles telling the story of the Club from the very first rehearsal attended by 12 guys at the Crabshell Pub in Kingsbridge in the Autumn of 1991; through tours (including 3 to the USA); results from competitions; and money (well over £100k) raised for various Charities. And inevitably, the page turning led to the sharing of stories, laughter and the recollection of happy memories. Chairman Paul Harvey opened proceedings with a warm Kingsmen welcome and handed over to Stu Newberry who took on the role as Master of Ceremonies. Stu guided attendees through the presentation and award of: the Harmony Award (recipient Kevin Hamer); the Jack Nation Trophy (recipient Chris Lambart); the Director's Award (recipient Ian Wooler); and the Barbershopper of the Year Award (recipient Kevin Hamer). Several Kingsmen also received Long Service Awards (the Club is a Member of the British Association of Barbershop Singers - https://www.singbarbershop.com/ ). 10 Year Badges were presented to Jim Stewart, Terry Weeks; Kevin Hamer and Ian Wooler (and will be to Charles Harrington, Geoff Sharps and Shaun Fewtrell - all of whom were unable to attend the event); a 20 Year Badge was presented to Gary Rowe; and 30 Year Badges were presented to Tim Wyatt and Steve Hancock. The evening culminated with the presentation by Chairman Paul Harvey of a special award - to Roy Hann, who founded the Chorus back in 1991 and who was the Musical Director for 30 years. The award was a glass trophy engraved with the words 'From your Brothers in Harmony. In celebration of your unwavering dedication, musical passion, and your 35 year milestone in founding the Chorus'. And you've guessed it - the celebrations continued at an Afterglow at a local pub, where more singing, fun and friendship was in abundance. Fancy having a go at singing? Want to join in the fun? If so, why not come along to one of our Rehearsals? You'll be guaranteed of receiving a big, warm Kingsmen welcome - and who knows, this time next year, you could be an award winner! For further information about the Kingsmen and Membership check out the following links: https://www.kingsmen.org.uk/become-a-member and https://www.kingsmen.org.uk/
Serene, Scenic, Spectacular
Howdy....
It's been Kingsbridge Fair Week recently and it was a joy to help kick things off to a great musical start. Dressed in our best and brightest Hawaiian shirts, the Kingsmen sang and entertained a lively audience from the Bandstand in the Town Square on an afternoon and evening of local entertainment, which ended with a firework display. If you were one of the men in the audience who enjoyed our performance and you like singing, then why not come along and visit us on a rehearsal night and join in the fun and camaraderie https://www.kingsmen.org.uk/become-a-member Kingsbridge is the hometown of the Kingsmen and we are celebrating our 35 anniversary this year. We like nothing better than supporting local events and charities; so keep an eye on the Upcoming Events link on our website to find out where we are singing and performing over the coming weeks and months. Hope to see you there! https://www.kingsmen.org.uk/ With thanks to Rebecca Rowe for taking these photos.
The communities of the South Hams have long, deep rooted ties with those organisations that serve to protect and save not only the sailors and fishermen local to these communities but also those visitors who pass by our shores or are staying here on vacation and enjoying our beaches and watersport facilities. With this in mind Heather Spencer, 2026 Ladies' Captain at Thurlestone Golf Club, organised a charity evening of fun, food, friendship and fundraising in aid of her chosen charity for her year, the new RNLI Lifeboat at Salcombe. The Salcombe Larks and The Kingsmen Harmony Chorus brought together an eclectic mix of songs from their repertoires, including music from The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkle, Neil Diamond (and many more) and entertained the packed clubhouse either side of a splendid buffet supper prepared by the TGC catering team. If you were one of the men in the audience who enjoyed our performance and you like singing, then why not come along and visit us on a rehearsal night and join in the fun and camaraderie https://www.kingsmen.org.uk/become-a-member It was a particularly poignant event for the many of the performers. The Salcombe Larks originate from the town of Salcombe and the Kingsmen hail from Kingsbridge, both groups are closely associated with the South Hams RNLI. Some have immediate family connections too. Gary Rowe, the Kingsmen Musical Director, is the son of Raymond Rowe who was 2nd Cox at Salcombe for many years. Raymond won a bravery award for his role in a hazardous resume of a distressed vessel, the Janet C, off Start Point. He also appeared in the TV Series Lifeboat in the 90's. Ian Wooler, our Assistant MD, also has close family connections to the Eastbourne RNLI station. One of his Great Uncles, James (Jim) Hall was a member of the Eastbourne Lifeboat Crew for 45 years and received several awards for bravery and long service. Jim's Niece (Ian's Mum) raised money for the RNLI throughout her life. The event raised several hundred pounds in aid of the charity and both chorus groups were more than happy to perform free of charge to help.
The Kingsmen Welcome New Recruit Rob Loader
Congratulations to Chris Collins on passing his voice assessment
Two days after Valentine's Day, the Kingsmen had the privilege of bringing music, smiles, and harmony to patients and staff at Mount Gould Hospital, sharing songs centred on one simple but powerful theme: Love. From the first note, it was clear that this was more than a performance. Love was there in every sense; in the dedication of the hospital staff who paused in busy corridors to listen, in the smiles of patients, and in the shared moments of connection that music so effortlessly creates. The Kingsmen sang of love, friendship and care; themes that resonated deeply within a place where compassion is part of everyday life. Music has a unique way of lifting spirits, and for a short while the wards echoed not with routine, but with harmony and warmth. For the Kingsmen singers, it was a reminder that love doesn’t always need grand gestures; sometimes it arrives as a familiar tune, a shared laugh, or a chorus sung from the heart. The Kingsmen left Mount Gould Hospital feeling uplifted themselves and grateful for the opportunity to give something back and reminded that love, like music, is best when it’s shared. We received a lovely message of thanks from the hospital chaplain who said "you need to know that you made a difference to those who came. Here's some examples : one lady told me just 30 minutes before you sang that she did not feel well enough and was not in the right frame of mind. I persuaded her, telling her how good you are. You may have noticed that she was singing along and left feeling much happier and smiley. There were also patients from the neurological ward who have been in hospital for some months. It made such a difference to them leaving the ward for some "normality" and uplift in their lives". Well done gents for all you do, and thanks again and hope to see you soon ! "
Kingsmen celebrate with new recruit Sam Tolchard
