Cockwood pub wins choir for a night
AFTER Alison Sanders made a bid at a charity auction, she found herself the proud owner of 24 men for one whole night.
She could have won a chance to skipper a luxury yacht, a bottle of best House of Commons whisky or even an Exeter City shirt signed by the squad.
But Alison, 43, landlady of the Anchor Inn in Cockwood where the auction was held, got what she thought was the star prize of the night — the Exeter Male Voice Choir.
And on Wednesday night they were in fine form at the 465-year-old pub, singing for Alison and raising money for the multiple sclerosis therapy centre in Dawlish.
Alison said: “It was amazing to win an entire choir of men. I didn’t think I had a chance but I managed to get 24 men for a bid of just £110.
“That’s about £5 a man and a lot more than I would normally pay for a live band which might only have five or six men in it. What a bargain!
“I felt quite excited when I was surrounded by them all in their penguin suits.
“They have been busy practising What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor? and perhaps a few other suitable songs for a harbourside pub.
“They are a wonderful bunch of men and a fantastic choir. We are really lucky to have them here. To think we got them for a song!”
The auction, which took place at the pub, was organised on behalf of the MS Therapy charity and raised more than £4,000.
Alison is no stranger to the world of song. Apart from her inn being a regular live music venue, she is a founder and driving force behind Cockwood’s community choir, The High C’s .
She said: “The male voice choir was very good to us and let us come along to rehearsals in Exeter. It was very rewarding and we picked up some useful hints. The men are singing in our new extension and the High C’s, who have about 16 members, have performed there too so there should be plenty of room.”
The original auction was organised by customer Liz Thompson to raise funds for the therapy centre.
Liz, who lives in Dawlish and suffers from MS, uses the centre for exercise sessions and high-dosage oxygen therapy.
4 Comments
by Liz Thompson, Dawlish
Friday, February 26 2010, 8:39PM
“We had a great night, at one point we had 14 squidged around our table! The great thing about Terry and Alison is that they think anything is possible !”
by S MASON, COCKWOOD
Friday, February 26 2010, 10:24AM
“1 Word fantastic
Look forward to the next 1 Tel & Ali”
by Mike Carthew, Exmouth
Friday, February 26 2010, 9:46AM
“Fanks Alison
had a smashing evening”
by Ian, Cockwood
Friday, February 26 2010, 9:09AM
“...and what a great night it was too! It was an absolute delight to listen to a varied & well prepared programme, even if the pub was a little "snug" (now I know the answer to "How many men can you fit on a 10 x 6 foot stage???")!! Thanks a million to all the members of the Exeter Male Voice choir for a great night of song, and a big thank you to Alison & Terry at the pub for getting them there in the first place. Let's hope we get to see you again very soon.”