Harrogate Male Voice Choir
Agenda for Committee Meeting at Woodlands Methodist Hall
10.00 am on Tuesday 2 nd September 2025 FINAL
Present – David Bayne( DB) , Chris Dunn (CD), Ian Ibbotson (II), Tony Goodall (TG),
Lawrie Coulthard (LC), Stuart Berry (SB), George Cross (GC), David Healy (DH). Copy to Richard Kay (RK)
Item Action
1 The minutes of the June meeting were approved and signed off.
5 committee members along with many present and past members attended the funeral
of David Millar at Rawdon crematorium in July
TG
2 Treasurer’s report
II has prepared and distributed the accounts for choir year 2024-25 along with a budget
for next year and a report from the Trustees for the Charity Commission.
Thanks to a generous donation from the estate of John Dawson and a grant from the NAC
for our Sing Out programme, we finished the year somewhat better than expected with a
bank balance of £9675 (compared to £9200 last year). Provided hall hire costs do not
increase and we have no exceptional expenditure, this should allow us to hold our
subscriptions at £150, although those who wish should be encouraged to pay a little
more. The critical factor once again is the number of paying members, budgeted at 37 (2
resignations, 2 recruits) down from 40 in 2024-25. We assume 37 rehearsals and the
costs of 2 festivals.
The accounts were audited by Patrick McCreanor, who has now resigned from the choir.
Due to our notice board being taken down by the church, AGM and sub notices will be
displayed in the small hall on a portable board.
II also provided an analysis of the Sing Out costs and income, showing ticket sales of
£1448 and expenditure of £1118, higher than normal due to an extra visit to Oatlands
school. There was discussion about charging admission for teenage children, but no
conclusion was reached.
II
3 Concert secretary report
Concert at Whixby village hall, Saturday 22 nd November. Theme “The month before
Christmas”. This is still under discussion and may involve some local talent, but is
generally supported by RK. GC will insist on total control of arrangements this time.
Joint concert at Boston Spa methodists, Friday 28 th February. The initial visit to the
church was positive although space is limited for 2 choirs performing. The church has
excellent recording facilities which we may use to record the concert. More details are
awaited from Rodilians ladies re logistics, costs and programme. We suggest that profits
go to Martin House childrens’ hospice.
As no other concerts are in prospect at the moment, especially for Christmas, TG will
encourage members at today’s rehearsal to look for opportunities to stage concerts for
charities.
IB
4 Members Secretary Report
The resignation of 2 more basses puts more importance on recruitment. The new top
tenor has completed the membership documents and GC is bringing a potential new
member this evening.
The attendance sheets have been issued to section reps for the next month
The updated emergency contacts have all been received and a revised sheets will be
issued shortly to first aiders and deputies.
SB
5 Marketing and promotion
The concert on 14 th June at West Park was well attended and the piano performances in
each half by Duncan Goodwin were excellent. LC produced the usual programme for the
Sing Out concert on 5 th July in Harrogate High School , and although advance ticket sales
were low, the hall was filled by people paying at the door.
A meeting was held by LC and GC at Boston Spa Methodists on 4 th July with GC to discuss
the proposed concert with the Rodilian singers on 27 th February. Church rep Jo Vernon
was very helpful. A further meeting will be held on 4 th September to discuss proposals
LC
and costs for recording our concert. There may also be an opportunity to sing some kind
of background at their Christmas Tree Festival, held over 3 days in December
LC represented HMVC at the “Harrogate Story” exhibition at the West Park centre on 18 th
July.
DH has compiled a list of 11 Yorkshire charitable foundations which give grants to local
causes and will write to each of them emphasizing our local background and the health
benefits of communal singing. CD reminded us of the “locality budgets” available to local
authorities and urged us to research them and make applications where appropriate.
DH
6 MD Report.
RK has been active on many fronts and has reported by e-mail.
RK continues to gradually update our website and would like feedback on this from the
committee. The date for Eskdale festival has been announced but not yet Harrogate.
RK approached some 8 members to give opinions on 10 possible new songs but only half
of them replied.
RK has enquired about the Whixley concert but would like GC to follow up
RK is not available to take rehearsals on 21 st October and 9 th December but has arranged
for his father Graham to deputise. We will not rehearse on 28 th October as neither
accompanist is available (half term)
7 Recruitment
In keeping with recommendations from the Peterborough conference, we will organise a
series of 6-8 sessions for new singers with no mention of or connection to the choir.
Graham Kay has offered to help but we have still to arrange costs and promotion.
Social prescribing has so far offered no results and we will try to contact surgeries, drop-
in centres and barber shops directly.
8 Sing Out 2026
Brackenfield prep school has given Friday 13 th February for our visit and choir practice at
the school. Pannal primary school is unable to perform any concert in July and suggests
Friday or Saturday 5 th , 6 th ,12th or 13 th June. TG suggests St Aidan’s school hall to
accommodate the size of audience to be expected with these 2 big school choirs.
TG
9 Festivals 2026
We hope to participate in Harrogate competitive festival, Eskdale Festival and the
Harrogate Community Choirs festival. Of these the only confirmed date is 18 th April for
Eskdale.
10 Committee members 2025/26
DB and TG must be re-nominated for chairman and secretary at the AGM. DH has
expressed an interest in marketing and LC will still continue with promotions.
11 AGM date
The AGM will take place on Tuesday 7 th October at 7.30 pm with a shortened rehearsal to
follow.
DB
12 Other Business
CD observed that the arrangements announced for parking at the High School for the
annual concert had not been adhered to resulting in more difficulties in directing traffic.
More signage is required at such events. We also need to guarantee adequate disabled
parking and venue access at the 2026 concert venue.
CD
13 Next Meeting
Tuesday 7 th October at 10.00 am at Woodlands.
