The Dalesmen Singers proved in excellent voice for the final, hectic run-up to Christmas with a series of Carol Concerts: Sunday, Dec 11th saw them perform at Castleton Village Hall where many old favourites were sung, along with some relatively new, among them the `Stable Cave Carol` written specially for the Dalesmen Singers by Castleton`s Reverend Clive Artley, with musical arrangement by the Choirs Musical Director Stephen Maltby. Soloists were Jim Muir, who added a splendid dash of humour with the classic `Carol Singers’ which the audience loved and Hinderwell`s Colin Easterby. Big man, big voice, his deep, rich tone enthralling everyone with a rendition of `A Child is Born.` A great night with a total in the region of £100 raised for Village Hall funds.A combined Carol Concert followed on Dec 13th with Skelton Primary School Choir at Skelton Church. Good support on the night, the children of the choir proving exceptionally talented, as the carols `True Colours` and `White Christmas,` were accompanied with appropriate sign language. Two lively numbers followed, one of which `Putting Baubles on the Christmas Tree` appeared to be their favourite. A total of  £224 was raised in aid of Skelton Primary School and the School Choir.The magnificent setting of St Hilda`s Church, Whitby on Dec 16th proved a fitting finale as the Dalesmen Singers performed in company with the Tuesday Singers, Caedmon School Choir and a superb Brass Quintet. The collection was in aid of the Cardiac Unit at James Cook University Hospital. With Musical Director Stephen Maltby unable to conduct the choir, an enthusiastic and versatile Andy Dyer from Castleton has stepped splendidly into the role until such time as Stephen is fit again.

On Friday evening 23rd September Danby Village Hall was full of Dalesmen Singers, their wives and past members.
Not in itself an unusual occurrence –  but this was different. The occasion was a Dinner to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of this most well-known and respected of choirs. It’s amazing what can come out of a conversation in a pub, and it was just such a conversation 40 years ago, in the Duke of Wellington pub in Danby, which led to the formation of the Dalesmen Singers Male Voice Choir.
Everyone was welcomed by the choir’s President, Audrey Smith. The excellent food, provided by Lillie’s Caterers, was enjoyed to the background of the wonderful Danesgarth Quartet playing a range of music from the Classical Repertoire. And, just in case there was any danger of a lull between courses, the conjurer Mike Smith went from table to table amazing everyone with his entertaining and mind-boggling tricks. Applause when the string quartet finished a piece was supplemented by spontaneous bursts of clapping as Mike performed yet another impossible piece of magic.
The hall was transformed for the occasion and proved to be a most fitting venue for the event. A specially assembled Exhibition displaying moments in the history of the Dalesmen was perused with great interest throughout the evening.
As the meal grew to a close the Anniversary cake was brought in, and the choir’s Chairman, Jim Muir, invited the President to cut the cake. Jim then gave a vote of thanks to all those who had worked so hard to make the occasion a success, with special thanks to the President and to those guests who attended. He read out messages of congratulations from past members who were unable to attend, including one from Joe Easley (the choir’s first Chairman), one from Peter Spencer (the first Secretary) and one from Walter Hartley (the first Treasurer).
The evening came to a fitting close with presentations to three long-serving members of the choir. First, Ray West received a ‘25 years’ tie. Then came the time for two founder members, Colin Grout and John Thompson, to be presented with their ‘40 years’ ties in recognition of their continuous service right from the beginning. There was, however a note of sadness; the much loved Bill Harrison, also a founder member, had died a few months ago.
The celebrations continue with the 40th Anniversary Gala Night concert on Saturday 15th October. This begins at 7.30pm in Danby Methodist Chapel, with refreshments afterwards in Danby Village Hall. The guest artiste is internationally acclaimed opera singer Suzannah Clarke. This should prove to be a memorable evening, and a rare opportunity to hear this fine singer, who was born and brought up in Middlesbrough. It is also an opportunity to support this year’s charity for the event, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

(prior to the summer break Andy Dyer writes:)

The long  and winding road:
Our Summer season ended with the most wonderful experience of singing in the Methodist Church at Newton on Rawcliffe. The journey there tested our navigating skills, and, despite the fact that we all managed to arrive in good time, this delightful church was already packed full! The next challenge that faced us was that of the proverbial ‘quart into a pint pot’ as we juggled our variously shaped bodies into the available space. But we made it, and were given a most wonderful reception.
And afterwards? Well, what a feast of culinary delights awaited us in the Village Hall!

An old friend re-visited:
Just one week before the Newton on Rawcliffe concert the Dalesmen Singers were delighted to have been asked back to St Mary’s Church Hall  in Nunthorpe – after a gap of more than 25 years.
The initiative for this came from Ruth Dowey, the sister of a founder member of the choir, Harry Williamson. It was such a pleasure for the choir to be able to renew its connection with St Mary’s, and it was clear that this feeling was shared by the audience.

And now….
After our summer break it is time to oil the voices again ready for the concerts leading up to Christmas. We have been working on new songs, and have a number of new members of the choir, so the next few months promise to be as stimulating as ever.
Maybe the snow will be kinder to us this year for our Christmas concerts! 

It had already been a great afternoon. The Dalesmen tour guides had revealed a sun-drenched Whitby to our wonderful guests for the day and now I waited with the other suitably uniformed merry men in green and grey, for the concert to get under way.

The venue was attracting a decent sized audience as the Dalesmen played a game of pew-shuffling before proceedings got under way. As everything settled down nicely and His Worship the Mayor of Whitby took his seat close to the front, the men's and women's choruses of Cantabile strode up the church swiftly in their black and grey uniforms to do the first of two long but exceedingly wonderful sets.
The opening piece - ' Requiem' by Eliza Gylykson was both beautiful, atomospheric and very moving conveyed so harmoniously by the combined choir, lined up in immaculate order on the chancel steps. (An emotional piece, written about the loss and grief particularly of parents after the tragedy of the tsunami which killed so many people in Asia six years ago). This piece set the amazingly high standard of performance and musical direction which was to follow; as the choir continued through their excellent first half programme, with pieces by Charles V. Stanford - 'Magnificat' - Sergei Rachmaninoff's 'Bergodise Djevo' ('All Night Vigil') and Ralph Vaughan Williams - 'O Clap Your Hands'.
My favourites in this section were the Gylykson, Stanford and Rachmaninoff pieces, but everything was performed to such a superb standard that you were left in awe of the brilliance of singing and the exacting standards of the musical director, Dr Sirett. - So, the atompshere was set, the audience rightly appreciative of a fantastic start to this concert.
This was to be further enhanced by what was still to come in this section with the following secular pieces - Sleep (Eric Whitacre), for me this was the pick of the following pieces as most Dalesmen around me seemed to concur. It was brilliantly delivered, atmospheric and entracing in equal measure and a great credit to all concerned in it's delivery. 'Hallelujah' (by Leonard Cohen) and 'We'll Rise Again' (Leon Dubinsky) rounded off a really polished and uplifting performance from our guests. This was some concert! And still more to come from them.
The Dalesmen took their places knowing that only their best performance could repsond appropriately and their opening contrasting response was, 'Nothing Like a Dame' by Rogers and Hammerstein from South Pacific. We then moved on to sacred pieces 'Give me that old time religion', 'Guahoddiah' and 'Oh When the Saints'. Cantabile were noticeably as appreciative of our first half performance as we had been of theirs and so it seemed were the rest of the audience also. This programme had worked very well so far, would the balance continue in the second half?
The Dalesmen took their places to begin the second half programme. 'Jacob's ladder', helped us show our versitility as aplp MVC and this was expanded further when, 'Tebe poem (We praise thee)' by Bortninsky was sung completely in Russian which contrasted well with the powerful 'Morte Criste' by Emrys Hughs. Our finale in the Dalesmen section was the upbeat 'Rhythm of Llife' (Fields/Colman) cleverly completed with panache by us all, including Anne Hartley our Accompanist and Steve Maltby our MD doubling up on the piano with Anne. More jubilant and appreciative applause rang out from the audience as Cantabile began their swift return to centre stage (steps) to continue the pleasure .
A second half split greeted us when Cantabile had resumed positions as the ladies section began the second half with the lovely 'Circles of Motion' by Bob Chilcott followed by the moving, and ever colder feel of 'Frobisher Bay', brilliantly spell-bidingly delivered so that the shivers crept down your spine as the song progressed. The sad but lovely arrangement of 'The Leaving of Liverpool' was that of Dr Sirett himself which ended the ladies' only section. The men of Catabile followed this up with 'Confirma hoc, Deus by Jacob Handl. This was followed by the lively and uplifting syncapation of 'Fogartys Cove' (Stan Rogers) and the well know Irish Folk classic -'The Wild Rover' arranged again by Dr Mark Sirett.
What variety, what range, what quality of performance. The combined choir's concentration, timing attention to quality of delivery, combined with superb accompaniment and musical direction meant that everyone fortunate enough to experience this concert, could not in any way have gone home disappointed. I regard it as a privilege to have sung in the same concert as the Dalesmen and was sad only that I could not get hold immediatly, of a copy of Cantabile's CD I enjoyed the whole concert so much, that I and many others would love to repeat it as soon as possible! Not only do the Dalesmen agree, but it seems the ladies and gentlemen of Cantabile do also - So in Kingston Ontario, or Whitby, North Yorkshire - Bring it on A.S.A.P!  

The Dalesmen Singers were warmly welcomed at the Methodist Church Hough Lane Wombwell by members of the Church and past members of the Wombwell Main MVC  and enjoyed the delicious tea awaiting them. Vice Chairman Phil Hunton thanked the ladies for the tea which all enjoyed. The Dalesmen Singers first visit to Wombwell Main MVC was in 1985 and from 1986 visits between the 2 choirs continued on an alternate yearly pattern until 2007 when the Wombwell Main MVC closed down. After tea some of the members walked to work off the extra  tea eaten and others enjoyed talking over the many happy times of singing together and the hospitality shared. After a short rehearsal in Church the Dalesmen sang to a full church who were very generous in their support. Soloists were Jim Muir, Roger Sutcliffe and Colin Grout and Stephen Maltby sang a duet.
The choir were conducted by Musical Director Stephen Maltby and the accompanist was Barbara Anderson who kindly stepped in to help us. A former choir member thanked the Dalesmen Singers for a great evening of song and Jim Muir responded on behalf of the Dalesmen.

Seamer Methodist Church near Scarborough was full for the visit of the Dalesmen on April 2nd and they enjoyed a varied selection of song from the choir directed by Stephen Maltby, Musical Director and accompanied by Ann Hartley. Soloists were John Haywood playing the Cor Anglais with Stephen Maltby playing the piano accompanyment. He also accompanied Colin Grout, tenor soloist and sang a duet with Colin and played the organ when accompanist for a bass solo from Jim Muir.The Choir were thanked by Ron Ward and Jim Muir expressed the choirs thanks for the warm reception they had received and after all enjoyed refreshments kindly provided by the Church members

A wonderful evening of entertainment was enjoyed by all who attended the Dalesmen Singers Gala Night Concert in Danby Methodist Chapel on Saturday 16th October. Dalesmen Chairman John Haywood welcomed the civic dignitaries and local clergy guests before handing the proceedings over to Stewart Mc Farlane who was to be Master of Ceremonies for the evening. The Dalesmen Singers began the concert with three songs led by Musical Director Stephen Maltby and accompanied by Ann Hartley, two of the opening pieces were from Les Miserable, solo spots were taken by Phil Hunton, Alan Jones and Joe Laws. Stewart then introduced guest artist Paul Hudson our guest artist for the evening the renowned Yorkshire bass singer. Paul is well known throughout the world for his operatic performances. Appearances at the Royal Festival Hall, the Royal Albert Hall and other major concert venues have established Paul as a leading exponent of the bass repertoire.Paul was accompanied on the piano by Keith Swallow equally well known for his performances throughout this country, Europe and the USA. Paul’s programme for the evening included Songs from popular opera’s from Rossini and Verdi, spirituals, Rogers and Hammerstein, ‘Rich Man’ from Fiddler on the Roof and some of the old bass numbers ‘A Policemen’s lot is not a happy one’, ‘The Hippopotamus Song’ and  ‘Tit Willow’ all with audience participation. A thoroughly entertaining programme was enjoyed by all. The Dalesmen sang in both halves Paul joining with them in ‘Gwahoddiah’ and ‘You raise me up’. Harold Jones sang a solo spot in ‘How great thou art’.At the end of the concert presentations were made to the Guest artists, MC, Musical director Steve and to Ann the accompanist by retiring choir Chairman John Haywood .John Lamerton who is a member of the choir accepted a cheque on behalf of the Chemotherapy Unit received treatment as a cancer sufferer over a few years. Mr Bill Harrison the choir’s Vice President presented a cheque to the value of £ 1189 for the work of the unit. Bill then presented a tie to Choir member Ron Kerrison to commemorate 25 years as a choir member.The audience moved over to the village hall to enjoy supper.

A Dalesmen Singers concert on Saturday 5th June in St Nicholas Parish Church at Guisborough successfully raised over £1100 for the ‘Help the Heroes Charity’. The concert was arranged by the Old Guisborian 7793 Freemasons Lodge and Keith Riches welcomed the choir. The photo shows the choir in their new yellow shirts!
The Dalesmen Singers were led by Musical Director Steve Maltby and accompanied by Ann Hartley. The choir sang a varied programme with solo spots taken by Jim Muir who sang the ‘Lost Chord’, Colin Grout and Steve Maltby sang the John Denver favourite ‘Perhaps Love’with Steve on the piano. Steve gave an organ solo as well as accompanying the choir in a number of pieces on the organ during which John Haywood conducted the choir.
A vote of thanks was given by Keith Riches on behalf of the Lodge and by choir Chairman John Haywood on behalf of the choir.

St Hilda’s Church on the West Cliff at Whitby resounded to the sound of 90 Male voices when the Dalesmen Singers welcomed the ‘Apollo’ Male Voice Choir from Soest in Holland to perform in a joint concert on Friday 28th May. The visiting choir were welcomed by Dalesmen Singers Chairman John Haywood and then began the concert with seven songs including Cantique de Jean Racine by Faure and an arrangement of Tulips from Amsterdam arranged by Hans van Rutten. The choir were led by their Musical Director Hans van Rutten and accompanied by Marius van der Kuijl. This was followed by a piano solo of Grieg’s ‘Wedding Day at Troldhaugen’ played by Marius a very talented pianist. The Dalesmen performed six pieces conducted by Steve Maltby and accompanied by Ann Hartley. The Dalesmen began the second half of the program with favourites that included Rhythm of Life and You raise me up. The ‘Apollo’ sang their second set of songs and were joined by the Dalesmen Singers to sing three joint pieces finishing with Morte Criste.The Apollo’s Chairman Jos Sesink then gave a vote of thanks and presented the Dalesmen with gifts and extended an invitation for the choir to visit Soest.

It was good to welcome the Shiney Row Male Voice Choir over to Castleton for what has become an annual get together. The Dalesmen ladies prepared a tea forthe visiting choir which was appreciated and enjoyed.On Saturday night at St Michael & St George Church,Castleton a large audience was treated to a concert by 60 male voices. The Dalesmen Singers were entertaining their friends the Shiney Row Male Voice Choir and performing a concert with them. The two choirs gave individual performances from their repertoires as well as singing a number of pieces together. The visiting choir were led by their musical director Stephen Wroe and accompanied by Bob Chicken. The Dalesmen were led by Steve Maltby and accompanied by Ann Hartley. Steve also accompanied two of the joint songs on the church organ.After the concert the choirs made their way to Castleton village hall for supper and to socialise. It was a pleasure to meet up again through the common interest derived from the love of singing. We look forward to meeting in the future.

Yes, unanimously voted a great night out by one and all at the Kings Head Roseberry-under-Topping. Good company, good food and great entertainment from that old friend of the Dalesmen, the renouned broadcaster, raconteur and singer of Fetters fame, Stewart Mcfarlane - accompanied by the talented Alan on accordian. In all there were 45 in the party including our President Audrey and everyone had a good time: We ate and drank; Stewart sang and told a few stories; we all joined in; Bill got to his feet, told a story and then buoyed by success told two more! Not to be outdone, Ron then added to this. A very happy evening in true Dalesmen style at the end of which all the Ladies were given a prettily wrapped gift. Great organisation, Colin.

On Saturday 7th November the Dalesmen Singers Male Voice Choir performed in a concert at Sneaton Castle, Whitby, to raise funds for the Marie Curie Nursing Charity. Along with the choir young music students from Caedmon School, Whitby entertained the audience with instrumental solos’. They showed off their talents individually and as a group with impressive performances that showed tremendous potential for the future.

The Dalesmen Singers philosophy is to encourage young people in their enjoyment and participation of music. (See photo gallery for more pics) Mr Michael Streets, the regional organizer of the Marie Curie Charity gave a vote of thanks to those taking part and those attending and was delighted to receive £443. He described the work carried out in the region by the charity. The Dalesmen Singers have now raised over £4,500 for a number of different charities during the last 12 months.

The Choir’s Gala Night Concert at Danby Methodist Chapel on 17 th October was introduced by Stewart McFarlane MBE and featured guest artist Vincent Billington the internationally renowned pianist from Scarborough. Vincent treated the audience to an excellent programme of piano music laced with his humour. The choir led by Steve Maltby and accompanied by Ann Hartley sang a programme of songs from their repertoire. The concert raised £1,178.50. for the Esk Valley Lifeline Charity. Choir President Mrs Audrey Smith presented a cheque to Dr Giles Horner who explained about the work of the charity. The Esk Valley Lifeline provides equipment and aids which would not be available through the NHS. This allows people to be managed more comfortably in their own homes. Giles gave a vote of thanks to the Dalesmen Singers for choosing the charity as their designated charity for the Gala Evening. The evening concluded with supper in the village hall. 

A Dalesmen Singers visit to Masham began with a visit tothe Black Sheep Brewery. A tour of the brewery which included sampling their wares was very interesting and may account for this blurry photograph. At the conclusion of the tour the choir sang Shepherd, Shepherd, an appropriate song for the occasion, the song Steve calls the ‘Danby National Anthem’. A wonderful tea was provided by the ladies of the Methodist Church in Masham for the choir and their ladies. In the evening the Dalesmen Singers gave a concert to an enthusiastic audience to raise money for the church Restoration Fund. Over £800 was raised and a good time had by one and all.

The Dalesmen Singers continued their 2009 programme with a visit to Shiney Row Male Voice Choir. They performed a joint concert at Holy Trinity Church, High Ulsworth, Washington, Tyne & Wear. The two choirs met up when the Shiney Row MVC invited the Dalesmen Singers to take part in their 50 Year Anniversary Celebration in Durham Cathedral last October along with eight other choirs. The Dalesmen had the opportunity to visit the Washington country park and climb up to the Penshaw Monument which looks over the surrounding Tyne and Wear area. More photographs of this trip can be seen by clicking on the photogallery button below.

The Dalesmen Singers have just returned from a visit to the Lake District . The trip came about after one of the Dalesmen met a member of the Keswick ‘Mountain Singers’ while on a bowling trip to Keswick. The choirs made contact and a concert was arranged for 25 th April in the local Methodist Church . The Dalesmen took the opportunity of making it a social weekend taking wife’s and partners with them. Accommodation was arranged at the Keswick Country House Hotel and we were very well looked after. Saturday was a day to take the opportunity of seeing the area, some of the group climbed a mountain, others a walk around Derwentwater the rest took the coach to Windermere and enjoyed a cruise on the lake.At the concert on Saturday evening the Dalesmen Singers sang to a full church and were joined by the Mountain singers in two songs. Soloists were Jim Muir, Colin Grout and Steve Maltby and Steve also played two solo pieces on the church organ.The Dalesmen’s guest accompanist for the concert was Andy Dyer of Castleton. His father a very sprightly 94 year old sings with the Mountain Singers. Also present at the concert was the president of the Keswick choir who is in his hundredth year and Mrs Audrey Smith president of the Dalesmen Singers. The concert raised £458 which was shared between the Mountain Singers and the Church.Returning home on Sunday via Ullswater over Kirkstone Pass we enjoyed the magnificent scenery and weather, stopping off at Rheghed for lunch and arriving home at Danby late afternoon