© Abingdon Operatic Society 2009 - 11

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Abingdon Operatic Society Committee 2011 - 12

Chairman - John Nye (right)

Vice-Chairman - Joy Skeels

Secretary - Nigel Winter

Treasurer - Vaughan Billings

Minutes Secretary - Linda Harris

Committee Members - Kerry Chaundy, Lesley Donovan, Bethan Evans, Colin Fall

Barry Greenaway, Phil Hughes

Contact the AOS Committee at committee@abingdonoperatic.co.uk

AOS piles up 340 years of NODA gongs in one night!

Left to right: Dennis Osment (35yrs), Rob Birtwistle (30yrs), Sue Richards (35yrs), Chris Waite (40yrs), Sarah Carter (10yrs), Dennis Garrett (30yrs), Chris Turton (45yrs), Ann Turton (50yrs), Joy Skeels (30 yrs), and Angela Osment (35yrs).

On Monday 24 October 2011, at the opening night party for Hello, Dolly!, AOS members celebrated in style as they received National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) medals for a total of 340 years service in affiliated societies.

societies.

Heading the long service list was Ann Turton, who received a certificate recognising 50 years of appearing on stage. Ann showed how she has maintained her standards at the highest level by spending the week in an acclaimed performance as Mrs Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!

Next in line was Chris Turton, who received a 45 year medal from NODA. Chris and his wife Ann were both members of Colchester Operatic Society in their youth, and

and indeed, that’s where they first met. As a matter of fact, looking around the AOS membership, it does seem that joining an operatic society has always been an excellent way of meeting a spouse, and that holds true today.

As an observer, what’s striking is the obvious pleasure that all these members have got from performing on stage over those combined 340 years, but also the equal pleasure they must have given to our audiences over those years. Long may both continue to enjoy!

Anne Turton as Mrs Dolly Levi