VOLUME 5- DECEMBER 2015 ISSUE 03 “No man is an island…” ‘sHertogenbosch International Barbershop Festival 2015, Holland Singers gather in the town square for the final event of the ‘sHertogenbosch Barbershop Fes- tival 2015, the Mass Sing. The Kentones are identifiable as the small island of orange t-shirts to the rear-left of the crowd. More inside in this Christmas 2015 edition. Vol. 5 Iss. 3 Page 1 The Kentonian ‘sHertogenbosh 9th International Barbershop Festival 2015 The Kentones are a regular visitor to this biennial non-competitive festival attended by barbershop choruses from all over the Neth- erlands and also from France, Germany and such far flung places as Bromley. It is held in the beautiful mediaeval city of ‘sHertogenbosch (literally “the Duke’s Wood”), or more colloquially “Den Bosch” (The Wood). The city was home to the fifteenth century painter Jheronimus Bosch, whose work is known for its fantastic imagery, detailed landscapes, and illustrations of religious concepts and narratives, referenced by many statues and artworks around the city. Our association with this Festival began through one of our members, Bob Gilbert. His mother comes from Den Bosch, where she met and married an English soldier, Bob’s father, during the closing stages of World War 2. She has since returned to live there, currently in a care home. On his frequent visits to his mother, Bob, became aware of the Festi- val and began our association with it and the city’s main barbershop chorus, The Duketown Chorus. Bob continues, with his wife Vicki, as the main organiser for our involvement. This year most of the chorus travelled out by coach on Thursday 24th Sep- tember. On Friday morning we sang in the Cathedral, revelling in the amaz- ing acoustic, followed by an afternoon singout at Bob’s mum’s care home. The Festival started with an evening concert in the Jheronimus Bosch Arts Centre, at which the Kentones performed. Saturday marked the official wel- come and another concert performance at the Arts Centre. This was as a prelude to various singing events held all around the city centre, ably sup- ported by choir member Frank Jans and wife Jacomijn, our official guide, both natives of Den Bosch. The event officially ended with the Mass Sing in the city square late in the afternoon. For the Kentones the close was marked by a Festival dinner in the evening, held with our friends The Duketown Chorus, the resident barbershop cho- rus. The party returned home on Sunday by way of a visit to Ghent for an impromptu singout in the city square and general sightsee- ing. Many thanks Bob, it was a blast. Colin Barnes (Ed) Den Bosch remembered tandem. The Mass Sing is always a great occasion, and we It is a well known fact that as one gets older the memory starts recall Mike Corr getting everyone to sing Belle Mama in about to go. This was quite evident on this year’s trip to Den Bosch, sixteen parts. So what will stick in the memory this year I won- as no one could recall the year in which Bob organised the first der? No doubt Colin Barnes will be inundated with items for visit. However, looking at my diary and through an old photo the Kentonian and photos aplenty. album it was indeed on Thursday 18th September 2003 that The fact that we set off in pouring rain did not dampen our twenty-two chorus men together with wives and Supporters spirits, and certainly the sing in the passenger lounge on the climbed aboard a Smith’s Continental Travel coach and set off Pride of Burgundy ferry was well received. Having reached to Holland, none of us really knowing what to expect. Some of Calais, and made sure the Mayor of Bromley was on the coach, the guys have attended every event since then; hair may have we set off. The journey time passed quite quickly as we changed colour or disappeared altogether and waist lines in- wracked our brains over Wiggy’s quiz, helped by glasses of creased, so it was quite a trip down Memory Lane to see those wine. Thanks Wiggy, it was great fun although I’m still not who signed up all those years ago. My photos show John sure who got the Toblerone and whether they really deserved Weeks, John Brookes, Barrie Newman, John Rayfield, Bill it! Hilton, Frank Taylor, Bill Holyday, Steve Beaney, John Having received a warm welcome, dinner and a good night’s Mesure, Chris Garrard, Les Moore, Chris Sydee, Bob Gilmore, sleep, it was a treat to wake up to blue skies and sunshine the Peter Aylett, David Tindall, Bob Gilbert, Geoff Mountney, following morning. From then on it was singing all the way. John Ray, Geoff Beardall, John O’Connor,Mikee Byrne and Personally, I did not think that the Jheronimus Bosch Art Cen- Colin Couves (CD). tre worked well as a venue as the acoustics were not good and Many a tale has been told of the first visit when we were all the singing was blurred by the echo. However, the Kentones’ invited to a civic reception in the magnificent City Hall, treated performance was great, and we’ll certainly remember the look to drinks and nibbles and listened to speeches of welcome. This of surprise on Tim’s face when, ready to conduct,… was the occasion when the unexpectedly elected “Mayor of Bromley”, David Tindall, made a very eloquent response and was later rewarded with a Chain of Office that he still wears proudly today. Trips arranged for the guys and gals to go on the Binnendieze Canals were also memorable, but then, and every time since, the welcome we have all received has been second to none. We recall funny moments in later years when Peggie Bensaid was lifted into Jacomijn’s food cart and hauled around the streets. And who can forget John Ray riding in his scooter across market square, hooking his walking stick on the back of a scooter driven by a lady, and the pair of them going off in © Eric Ideler Surprise! The Kentonian Page 2 Vol. 5 Iss. 3 the guys burst into Happy Editorial Birthday and announced to the audience that it was his The words of John Donne, “No man is an island...” came to mind fiftieth birthday. Congratula- as I looked back over the photographs from the ‘sHertogenbosch tions Tim, you certainly Barbershop Festival in September, and saw one of the Mass Sing, don’t look it. with the small island of Kentones visible. I recalled the spirit of friendship, cooperation and fun that I think all of us from the Ken- Singing around town is al- tones and Supporters experienced among the singers gathered ways great fun, even when from all over Europe that helped make our visit such a success. interrupted by the Cathedral The idea of our interdependency was for me further underlined by bells, and the refreshments the Quartet Exploration Day that many of us attended in October, organised by Jacomijn were and how no matter how well you sing individually, the music just much appreciated. The doesn’t work unless everyone is doing their bit. No less so organi- acoustics in the Protestant sations; I have only to think, for instance, of the great job that Bri- church are excellent and I an and his supporters did to make the Learn To Sing course such a thought John Williams’ sing- success, and the support we all receive from the Music Team and ing the intro to This Is the all their helpers to develop our singing capability. Oh, and not to Moment was outstanding. So mention the 40th Anniversary Dinner, AGM...I could go on. many great moments; the However, I must mention the wonderful people who regularly con- afterglow, the dinner with tribute to this Newsletter to make it such a great publication. I Duke Town and singing to the Hotel staff are all moments I’m would, in particular, like to introduce and thank the sub-editor of sure we will remember for a long time to come. the Kentonian, David Tindall. I would be surprised if you didn’t And to think if it hadn’t been for Rina, a pretty nineteen year know who he was: after all, he’s the one who regularly puts us old Dutch through the physical warm-up girl, asking a at the start of our Thursday soldier serv- night sessions and amazingly ing with the disables the microphones at REME in our Singouts. It is his support, WW2 for guidance and meticulous atten- some paraf- tion to detail that helps keep fin, none of the Newsletter going. Yes, he’s this would a great detector of poor Eng- ever have lish and punctuation, has a happened. So good eye for maintaining con- thank you sistency, and sound judgement Bob’s Mum; for setting a suitable tone for articles. But he is also a great it was good to Bob (rear-right), mum and a few friends guy to approach with ideas for see you look- articles, and can give you guid- ing so well, and obviously very proud of your son. And we do ance and support in writing thank Bob and Vicki for all their hard work in arranging this them. If you haven’t tried your trip. hand at writing, and would like So here’s to 2017 and more special memories. to, I would strongly encourage Avril Sydee you to have a go. David will be only too pleased to give you a bit of guidance.