March 2015
Choir Members are greatly saddened by the recent death of Stan Hall. He was one of the founders of the Choir, holding the office of Chairman for 15 years. Thereafter, he held all other senior positions in our organisation until retiring to the back benches of the Bass Line some 5 years ago to just ‘enjoy singing’ for a change. This yeoman service was marked by the award of Life Membership of the Choir, a position unique in the history of Ad Murum Singers but richly deserved. Poor health meant that he was unable to attend our rehearsals in the last two years. Nevertheless, Stan still took a great interest in what we were rehearsing and did manage to attend our Summer Concert in 2014. A conversation earlier this year showed that he was very interested in the emerging material for our 2015 Summer Concert. His wise words, cheery smile, warm handshake and, above all, his genuine love of all that is good about Ad Murum will be missed by us all.
Choir Members are greatly saddened by the recent death of Stan Hall. He was one of the founders of the Choir, holding the office of Chairman for 15 years. Thereafter, he held all other senior positions in our organisation until retiring to the back benches of the Bass Line some 5 years ago to just ‘enjoy singing’ for a change. This yeoman service was marked by the award of Life Membership of the Choir, a position unique in the history of Ad Murum Singers but richly deserved. Poor health meant that he was unable to attend our rehearsals in the last two years. Nevertheless, Stan still took a great interest in what we were rehearsing and did manage to attend our Summer Concert in 2014. A conversation earlier this year showed that he was very interested in the emerging material for our 2015 Summer Concert. His wise words, cheery smile, warm handshake and, above all, his genuine love of all that is good about Ad Murum will be missed by us all.
February 2016
The recent sad and tragic loss of Sally Allan has been a difficult time for us all. Sally joined the Ad Murum Singers in September 2010 after seeing the choir perform at the village show. Her first performance was the Christmas concert that year. She loved all kinds of music and greatly enjoyed both practices and concerts. Sally started as a first soprano then later took on the challenge of moving to join the second sopranos, her final concert being Christmas 2015. Sally loved being part of the Ad Murum 'family'. Her lovely smile, her laughter and her genuine concern for others will be greatly missed and as we sing we remember the happy times we shared and the joy she brought to all.
The recent sad and tragic loss of Sally Allan has been a difficult time for us all. Sally joined the Ad Murum Singers in September 2010 after seeing the choir perform at the village show. Her first performance was the Christmas concert that year. She loved all kinds of music and greatly enjoyed both practices and concerts. Sally started as a first soprano then later took on the challenge of moving to join the second sopranos, her final concert being Christmas 2015. Sally loved being part of the Ad Murum 'family'. Her lovely smile, her laughter and her genuine concern for others will be greatly missed and as we sing we remember the happy times we shared and the joy she brought to all.
March 2016
James (Jim) Smith (1931 - 2014) was a founder member of the Ad Murum Singers and played a large part in enhancing the life of the choir. Music was very important in Jim's life. In the early days of the choir he ensured the practicalities at rehearsals and occasionally conducted the music in the absence of the musical director. His fine bass voice was a valuable asset, and he was a trusty and reliable soloist. Jim continued to sing with the choir until the last few years of his life, when illness prevented him from doing so.
James (Jim) Smith (1931 - 2014) was a founder member of the Ad Murum Singers and played a large part in enhancing the life of the choir. Music was very important in Jim's life. In the early days of the choir he ensured the practicalities at rehearsals and occasionally conducted the music in the absence of the musical director. His fine bass voice was a valuable asset, and he was a trusty and reliable soloist. Jim continued to sing with the choir until the last few years of his life, when illness prevented him from doing so.
May 2018
The choir was very sorry to lose Mike Furlonger after a brave struggle with Motor Neurone Disease. Mike had been a supporter of Ad Murum's concerts for many years before he made the decision to join our ranks in 2016, bringing humour, enthusiasm and his own inimitable personality to the bass line. Always keen to assist the choir, he would suggest songs we might try and his lifelong love of jazz led to a very successful appearance by friends of his as guest artistes at a summer concert. As in all walks of life he traversed, Mike made his mark on the choir and is greatly missed.
The choir was very sorry to lose Mike Furlonger after a brave struggle with Motor Neurone Disease. Mike had been a supporter of Ad Murum's concerts for many years before he made the decision to join our ranks in 2016, bringing humour, enthusiasm and his own inimitable personality to the bass line. Always keen to assist the choir, he would suggest songs we might try and his lifelong love of jazz led to a very successful appearance by friends of his as guest artistes at a summer concert. As in all walks of life he traversed, Mike made his mark on the choir and is greatly missed.
November 2019
Sheila Nicholson loved music and it was always a huge part of her life. She was Musical Director of the Ad Murum Singers from 1998 until 2000 when she and John left Heddon to spend their time between Spain and Newcastle. They rejoined the choir on returning to the UK for good in 2010, with Sheila as a stalwart of the soprano line and a keen performer in our Christmas pantomimes. Ill health forced her retirement from the choir in 2018, but she was delighted to receive an honorary life membership and proudly displayed the certificate in her living room. She remained interested in and supportive of the choir, attending our concerts without fail until shortly before her death. Sheila will be remembered for her kindness, impeccable style and that beautiful voice.
Sheila Nicholson loved music and it was always a huge part of her life. She was Musical Director of the Ad Murum Singers from 1998 until 2000 when she and John left Heddon to spend their time between Spain and Newcastle. They rejoined the choir on returning to the UK for good in 2010, with Sheila as a stalwart of the soprano line and a keen performer in our Christmas pantomimes. Ill health forced her retirement from the choir in 2018, but she was delighted to receive an honorary life membership and proudly displayed the certificate in her living room. She remained interested in and supportive of the choir, attending our concerts without fail until shortly before her death. Sheila will be remembered for her kindness, impeccable style and that beautiful voice.
February 2020
Gerald Farmer was a relative newcomer to Ad Murum Singers' Tenor line. He was a life-long lover of music and gained great pleasure from singing alongside new-found friends at practices and concerts. It was a sadness to us all that he succumbed to illness before he was able realise his full potential in the choir and enjoy the pleasure of making music with us for much longer .
Gerald Farmer was a relative newcomer to Ad Murum Singers' Tenor line. He was a life-long lover of music and gained great pleasure from singing alongside new-found friends at practices and concerts. It was a sadness to us all that he succumbed to illness before he was able realise his full potential in the choir and enjoy the pleasure of making music with us for much longer .
May 2020
Sheila Booth, a founder member of Ad Murum Singers, enjoyed making music with us over several decades until ill health forced her retirement. Her love of life and music was inspirational and made her a much-loved and invaluable member of the soprano line. Her clear voice, kindness and ready smile will be greatly missed by us all.
Sheila Booth, a founder member of Ad Murum Singers, enjoyed making music with us over several decades until ill health forced her retirement. Her love of life and music was inspirational and made her a much-loved and invaluable member of the soprano line. Her clear voice, kindness and ready smile will be greatly missed by us all.
February 2022
Music was a huge part of Sue MacKenzie's life, making it or listening to it, including the bells at Holy Cross Church, Ryton, on Sunday mornings, for which she had a particular fondness. She was a member of the Ad Murum Singers for many years and very much enjoyed performing in our concerts as well as being an enthusiastic vocal supporter of our Christmas pantomimes! (Oh, yes she was!!) She loved singing in the Soprano line and was especially helpful to its new members, quietly guiding them along and advising on how songs had been sung previously. Sue was taken from us far too early, but her enthusiasm for singing will live on long in our memories.
Music was a huge part of Sue MacKenzie's life, making it or listening to it, including the bells at Holy Cross Church, Ryton, on Sunday mornings, for which she had a particular fondness. She was a member of the Ad Murum Singers for many years and very much enjoyed performing in our concerts as well as being an enthusiastic vocal supporter of our Christmas pantomimes! (Oh, yes she was!!) She loved singing in the Soprano line and was especially helpful to its new members, quietly guiding them along and advising on how songs had been sung previously. Sue was taken from us far too early, but her enthusiasm for singing will live on long in our memories.
August 2021
Eddie Tingate was a dedicated member of the Ad Murum Singers. He was a founder member and continued singing in the Tenor line until he retired, when he and his wife, Esme, moved out of the area in 2018. He had a fine Tenor voice and music had been part of his life since he was a young boy singing in the church choir. He enjoyed music concerts, both classical and musical theatre. After retiring from the choir, he gave his support by becoming a Friend of Ad Murum and assisting front of house at performances. He will be sadly missed.
Eddie Tingate was a dedicated member of the Ad Murum Singers. He was a founder member and continued singing in the Tenor line until he retired, when he and his wife, Esme, moved out of the area in 2018. He had a fine Tenor voice and music had been part of his life since he was a young boy singing in the church choir. He enjoyed music concerts, both classical and musical theatre. After retiring from the choir, he gave his support by becoming a Friend of Ad Murum and assisting front of house at performances. He will be sadly missed.
July 2022
Keith Hotchkiss, one of our founder members, had a fine bass voice and sang proudly at all our concerts until illness prevented him from joining in. He particularly enjoyed singing traditional Christmas Carols and songs which veered towards the classical end of the spectrum. Always smartly turned out and with bow tie tied just so, Keith was keen that the choir always gave of its very best at our public performances. His strong bass voice is greatly missed.
Keith Hotchkiss, one of our founder members, had a fine bass voice and sang proudly at all our concerts until illness prevented him from joining in. He particularly enjoyed singing traditional Christmas Carols and songs which veered towards the classical end of the spectrum. Always smartly turned out and with bow tie tied just so, Keith was keen that the choir always gave of its very best at our public performances. His strong bass voice is greatly missed.
