VOLUME 5- MARCH 2016 ISSUE 04 Jus’ like that... The Kentones during a coaching weekend, as they start their preparations for this year’s BABS Convention in Harrogate. More inside. Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Page 1 The Kentonian Acafellas at Chelsfield Methodist Church Acafellas 31st January Acafellas were once again asked to join a Songs of Praise Acafellas at Beckenham Probus Oakley House Service at the start of another new year with the congregation 1st December of Chelsfield Methodist Church. Probus clubs are apolitical and non-religious organisations This service is part of the whose purpose is to provide regular meetings for retired profes- active liaison between the sional and business men who would value increased social con- church and the various tacts and the opportunity for meeting others in similar circum- communities and organi- stances. Acafellas were invited to sing to the Beckenham Pro- sations that meet there bus group after their Christmas lunch at Oakley House. during the course of the One of the chorus, short on numbers, had been unexpectedly week, not least BBHC delayed and our usual compère, David T, had gone sick - and who regularly hold Aca- the lunch was running ahead of schedule. It was going to be one fellas practices there. At of those afternoons. a time when local authori- Fortunately our very own getaway driver, Brian da Wheels-Fish ties continue to reduce the number of community meeting plac- came, or rather went, storming to the rescue and shortly reap- es available to clubs and adult education classes, this is indeed peared with said delayed member – only a few minutes into the a gem of a venue, not only as somewhere to hold singing prac- performance! tices, but where we are welcomed by the congregation. Frank Taylor was MD for this occasion. With professional Colin Couves ably directed Acafellas as they sang a number of songs from their repertoire, interspersed with hymns and read- ings by the con- gregation. The service was led by the Rev. Da- vid Gillman, who deftly linked Aca- fellas’ eclectic choice of hymns and songs with the prayers and readings into a unified whole - a consummate compère. David, if our David T ever hangs up his aplomb he carried on smiling, seemingly unperturbed, got on microphone (!) the job’s yours. Members of the congregation with the job and successfully guided us through our perfor- complimented Acafellas during refreshments after the service: mance, which was greeted with appreciation by the audience. we look forward to a continuing association with the church. Chris Garrard also stepped in at the last minute as compère and Colin Barnes, Ed improvised bravely to keep the show moving along without even a song-list. Acafellas at Chislehurst Village Hall for Rotary Thanks to Frank and Chris for their cool and for keeping things Club, 9th January on track to provide an enjoyable performance. Thanks also to Each year the Rotary Club of Chislehurst raises funds through a Beckenham Probus for the refreshments they kindly provided. variety of activities and events. These help them support local, Colin Barnes, Ed. national and international good causes. They try and give as much 'hands-on' help as they can locally, and some funds are used to run local activities for certain sectors of the community. In particular, they hold a New Year party for senior citizens from Chislehurst. Acafellas at Biggin Hill Community Care This was one such “Rotalink” party organised by the Chislehurst Association Christmas Lunch 4th January club for elderly people living alone in the area. Biggin Hill Community Care Association was formed in 1985 to help bring together all those who work in the community and those who help in a voluntary capacity as carers and volunteers. A Day Centre is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and other clubs and activities are held, mainly for retired people. Acafellas were invited back to sing at their Christmas lunch, as they had in previ- ous years. Host Janet Boylan introduces Acafellas with MD Colin Couves Acafellas sang to the guests after their meal. Colin Couves ably directed the singing, while David Tindall compèred and provided his usual erudite introductions and links to the various songs. Our host, Janet Boylan, said of us “You were a great success and our guests thoroughly enjoyed hearing you.” This was a new event for Acafellas, and we have been invited The singout was ably directed by Colin Couves and compèred by back. Well done and thanks to all members for making this such a David Tindall to the enjoyment of all. Thanks to all at the Com- success. munity Centre for their welcome and refreshments. Colin Barnes, Ed. Colin Barnes, Ed. The Kentonian Page 2 Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Acafellas at PSP Support Group, Polhill Garden Centre Editorial Wednesday 20th January It was with open arms that we welcomed your singout group to “Jus’ like that?” The Kentones’ preparations for this our support meeting on Wednesday 20th February. Chris, one year’s BABs Convention began in earnest with the of our new members, who first coaching weekend held at Eltham College in sings with the Kentones, has recently been diagnosed February, of which more in Simon’s article. But this with PSP (Progressive Su- was not really the start. pranuclear Palsy), a progres- The start goes back over the winter months as we sive neurological condition have learnt the songs and endeavoured to develop for which there is no cure. our vocal technique in the many hours spent on the Our group meets at Polhill Garden Centre every other risers on Thursday evenings and at the Personal Vo- month to provide much cal Instruction (PVI) sessions with Peter and Ryan. needed support, advice and Of course there were also a few Singouts and own information for people liv- practice at home. But there is more, much more, still ing with the illness and an- to do. other related condition called CBD (Corticobasal This is probably the essence of this quarter’s issue: Degeneration). The group not a lot happening on the surface, but plenty going provides the opportunity to on behind the scenes as we and our various teams meet up with others in simi- prepare for the coming year, which promises to be lar circumstances over tea Sarah Marshall, PSPA, with both challenging and exciting. Of which more in the and biscuits; so that together John Sollitt they do not have to face the Music Team News and Chairman’s Corner. Suffice future alone. to say that, with Top Choir of Kent, Convention, Living with PSP/ CBD can make your world very isolated and, Leeds Castle, the Croydon Music Festival and The for many, getting to our group, in itself, can be very demanding Show to come, there will be some huge opportunities so having you along to entertain us was a real heart warming, to display your creative writing and journalistic skills toe tapping, joyous treat. We sang along, clapped and shared in your infectious enjoyment. Thank you. – please don’t hold back! An added bonus to the morning was that we were able to send Also in this issue: News from our Supporters’ Club our fundraising boxes around the garden centre café, and we and their promise of gastronomic delights to come; raised a remarkable £150.00 that we will send to the PSP Asso- an update on some of our charity fund raising; an ciation (PSPA), our UK based charity. The PSPA provides a introduction to two new members; reminiscences of national helpline, six regionally based specialist care advisors visits to US barbershop conventions; and some riser and runs educational events aimed at raising the profile of the tips. Hope you enjoy reading it. condition amongst health and social care professionals, many of whom have never heard of the condition before. The associ- Oh, and I know the Convention Dress code has not ation also helps fund research. We receive no Government been announced yet, but how about a red fez? (One funding and rely solely on donations to fund our work. for the Tommy Cooper / Dr Who fans.) Sarah Marshall, PSPA Support Group, Orpington Colin Barnes (Ed) Vol. 5 Iss. 4 Page 3 The Kentonian It was a fun event enjoyed by customers and our Supporters The Kentones alike, although the singing quality had possibly slipped a notch by the end of the evening, mainly due to the rather hot, dry at- mosphere and crowded space(!). The Kentones at Eltham Warren Many thanks to our Supporters’ Club for organising the collec- 29th November tion and to all who contributed to it. To quote our treasurer, Dear chaps, Les, “What a surprise! I opened the collection bucket this A big thank you to those who came out on a windy Sunday morning and, Lo and Behold, the contents totalled the grand afternoon to sing at the Eltham Warren Golf Club. This was sum of £72.00. I think the collection fairy must have visited us during the night.” I dread to think what he tells our auditor. Colin Barnes, Ed Kentones Christmas Singout at intu Bromley 20th December in support of the Chartwell Cancer Trust (CCT) Once again the Kentones were invited to sing at intu Bromley in support of their nominated charity, the CCT. The day started as we gathered over the course of a superb Sunday breakfast at Café Giardino—and just went on getting better. It was not long before we were changed, and gathered in the concourse with the muzak silenced. We possibly attracted a few puzzled, even worried, looks as thirty-one guys each dressed as if for a Christmas stag-night, started to warm up with lip trills A small chorus from The Kentones under the direction of their and choruses of meany-meany-meany, ming-ming-ming..