COMMUNITY
Gaynor said: “I would say that the choir has allowed me to meet more people, made Marham feel more like a community for me and enabled me to experience things I could only have dreamt of nine months ago!”
Jane said: “Being a part of the choir was a life saver for me while my husband was in Afghanistan. I was feeling so lonely, but it gave me something to look forward to every Tuesday and I’m not giving it up!”
Laura’s Story: Prior to the choir, I found out my husband was being medically discharged from the RAF. I didn’t know what to do with myself. For eight years all we had known was RAF life; four moves dragging 2 kids, 2 dogs, and the rest of our lives around. Then I noticed a post about a choir forming and took the plunge to do something for myself in what time was left.
I really didn’t expect the rollercoaster that the last months have been. I have always been a shy person with little confidence but choir has drawn me out and I’ve performed in public many times now and unbelievably all the jitters and fears go as soon as I step foot on the stage – even in the Royal Albert Hall in front of thousands of people.
I honestly don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for my extended choir family. Like any family they can be unruly, challenging and childish at times but I wouldn’t change a single one of the loveliest group of ladies I have ever known.
Rachel’s Story: I have two severely autistic boys
www.raf-ff.org.uk
who only see Daddy at weekend. Forces life is tough, but we are all behind our loved ones. Having two disabled children, I don’t see my life as harder than anyone else’s – just different and the choir has been an amazing release for me.
Once when we needed an extra practice and the boys came along. There was initially a lot of squealing and laughing, the boys chasing each other up and down the church. George grabbing anyone who’d play with him – he knows one of the altos who picked him up and shared kisses with him. He then grabbed the Musical Director’s hand as she’s tried to conduct us... the sight of George being twirled round and around by her as we all sang was so moving... he was so content.
Harvey meanwhile was getting tired. We were practicing ‘The Lord bless you and keep you’ – Harvey drifting off in the buggy. By the time I put Harvey to bed he only had the energy to get me to repeat one set of his tiring bedtime rituals.
I felt very happy, and strangely moved that evening by the way the choir have taken my boys to their hearts. They really have kept me afloat through some difficult times.
For more information on the Bluebirds, visit:
www.marhambluebirds.co.uk Scott Rudge at digiDuck Photography
Sarah Davies reports from Shawbury Watching Gareth Malone’s programme was Michelle Gee, who decided RAF Shawbury needed its own version of the Military Wives
Choir and has managed to achieve just that! Michelle explains,
“I have always loved singing but I didn’t really do much of it since leaving school, other than singing around the house! I was upset not to be able to attend the first few rehearsals of the Portsmouth choir. I had the idea to see if anyone at Shawbury would be interested in joining a choir, the response was amazing”.
Starting a choir is one thing but forming a choir that is worthy of performing is quite another and a musical director was needed. We found Neil Welch and with SSAFA generously helping towards the cost of a piano soon were shaping up with a repertoire.
Finally it was felt it time to show what had been achieved and we were asked to perform at the Jubilee Celebrations in the village hall. The performance couldn’t have gone better and boosted the confidence of every member.
It was also a great opportunity to show the local community the ‘other’ side of the Military and allow those that support their husbands, fathers, etc. to literally have a voice of their own. The Shawbury MWC continues to go from strength to strength with new members joining all the time. The choir also includes members from nearby Ternhill Barracks. Gemma Devlin, from Ternhill
Envoy Winter 2012 41
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