NUFFIELD CLUB: Welsh Choir made homeless (From The Oxford Times)

NUFFIELD CLUB: Welsh Choir made homeless

6:19pm Friday 31st July 2009

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ONE of Oxford’s oldest choirs is hoping its appeal for a new rehearsal room doesn’t fall on deaf ears – after they were made homeless by the closure of a city club.

The Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir, which was established in 1928, has been locked out of its practice room at the Lord Nuffield Club in Cowley, since the administrators were called in last week.

The closure of the former Morris Motors Social and Athletic Club, has struck a bum note with the 40-strong choir, which raises around £20,000 a year for charity.

For many choirsters their former workplace was the Morris Motors factory.

The club is in receivership after it is thought to have defaulted on its mortgage payment with the Nationwide building society.

Choir chairman Phil Lewis, 72, from Abingdon said: “We were all shocked when they announced the closure.

“We had no idea they were in that sort of difficulty. There was nothing to suggest there was any problem. We’re homeless for now.

“We have been rehearsing at Brookes’ Headington Hill campus, but we are having to look seriously for another venue as we have to leave in September when the students return.”

“Meeting at the Nuffield Club was special as it tied the choir closer to its car-making roots. It was absolutely ideal for us. It’s just such a shame it’s gone.”

To make matters worse the songsters are currently having to rehearse without their usual accompaniment, because their piano and more than 80 years’ worth of music are locked away inside the Lord Nuffield Club.

The singers, who rehearse every Thursday evening, are currently relying on an electronic keyboard instead.

In two months’ time the choir, which sings a quarter of its songs in Welsh and the rest in English, is set to play an autumn concert at Oxford Town Hall in front of an expected crowd of 550.

However, they are determined the club’s closure won’t lead to the curtain coming down on their long career.

Mr Lewis said: “The choir has sung continuously for 81 years so we’re very determined to go on.

“But we need somewhere to rehearse.”

The closure has also put the future of this year’s Cowley Classic Car Show in the balance as the Isis Rotary Club had booked the Lord Nuffield Club’s playing field to host more than 100 vintage cars on Sunday, August 16.

Organiser Malcolm Fearn said: “We have got our fingers crossed at the moment.

“The receivers have been very helpful so far, but we are waiting to see if we can go ahead.”

Mr Fearn said the show could be cancelled if receivers Moore Stephens refuse to grant it permission, as it is too late to find another venue.

If you are able to offer the choir a venue, contact oxwelsh@googlemail.com

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