The History

Sunday February 1st. 1904 was Men's Sunday at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Church Gresley and fifteen men formed a male voice choir for the day. The minister was so impressed he urged the men to continue as a choir, as the cliche goes, the rest is history. However, the title of Church Gresley Primitive Methodist Male Voice Choir, was over theyears shortened to the one now used as shown above. Within those fifteen men were five Walton brothers, and George Walton was the first conductor of the male choir, a position heheld for eighteen years.

In the choir's history of 100 years there has only been six conductors, each contributing an important phase in the choir's history.

G. Walton (1904-1922)
T. L. Clark (1922-1932)
C.W. Jackson (1932-1948)
R. A. Baker (1948-1977)
R. H. Davies (1977-1994)
K.W.Harper (1994- Present)

By 1910 the membership had increased to 45 and music festivals figured largely in the life of the choir with great success, from April 1922 to March 1923 the choir won nine first prizes. November 1927 saw the choir achieve one of its greatest festival successes by taking first prize in the London Semi National Eisteddfod at Central Hall Westminster, against stiff opposition. The Swadlincote Urban District Council held a Civic Reception in the Town Hall and the Chairman to mark the achievement. Over the years festival work was reduced to keep pace with concert demands but the choir still managed to gain 91 first prizes.

In 1935 the choir made its first radio broadcast, live from Birmingham Studios during a variety show, the BBC was well satisfied and other broadcasts followed.The choir's Celebrity Concert to bring top line singers to the area began in 1949 featuring one of Britain's finest tenors, Heddle Nash. A return visit by public demand was made by him in 1950. The concert hosting many notable artistes has become an annual event in the choirs calender, much appreciated by all.

The choir toured Florida, by invitation, in 1984 and the choir was honoured to lead the parade of 43 Nations at the St. Petersburg Folk Fair Festival and performed at Disney World Epcot Centre just two of 12 public performances during a nine day tour. A return visit was made for the United Nations Diplomatic Committee in 1989. Other tours were made to Germany, France and Ireland. In the first German tour in the Saxony Region near Osnabruck the Choir had the pleasure of singing at the N ATO Schutzenfest (shooting festival) prize winners ceremony, entertaining the armed forces of Belgium, Holland, Germany, Scandinavia, America and of course British Troops.

Over the years the choir has made many friends and as a result exchange visit has taken the choir to Ilfracombe (Devon), Neath and Cumbran (SouthWales), Gateshead (Northumberland),South Woodham Ferrers(Essex) and the members are looking forward to renewed acquaintances with the Lingen Mannerquartet (MVC) from Germany during the centenary year. Weekends away with concerts at Sheringham and Norwich in Norfolk and at the Spa in Scarborough and Whitby,Yorkshire were enjoyed.

The choir was honoured to take part in The Lieutenancy Service at the Parish Church of Ilkeston presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire and Lady Hilton as a Thanksgiving for the lifework of Her Majesty The Queen in the presence of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

In 1995 the choir joined Michael Ball in his christmas show for Carlton Television and has appeared in all of the Festivals of English Male Voice Choirs at the Royal Albert, the World Choir Events in Cardiff and joined the Massed Male Voice Choirin Hyde Park for the 50th. Anniversary VE Celebrations in the presence of the late Queen mother.