One dark November evening in 1991, four ladies who sang quartet together decided to form a chorus in order to share their love of close harmony singing with the wider world. Since there were no other similar groups in South East Cornwall they decided to make Saltash the home town of ‘Brunel Ladies Harmony Chorus’.

The first sing out was on the back of a banana lorry at the turning on of Saltash Lights – something we continue to do – but we have progressed from the banana lorry to a proper stage (albeit a mobile one).

Next was a turn at the National Music Day at Torquay, turning out with 8 ladies. An open evening then helped to swell our numbers with another 6 ladies. Since then our numbers have swelled and receded like most chorus’ as members join and leave. We now have a core of 36 regular members which makes us medium sized but of course its quality that counts and we pride ourselves on singing well as well as enjoying it too!

Over the years we have been asked to sing at a variety of locations, including a wedding at Carnglaze Cavern, an old rum store cut into the hillside, with superb acoustics; village halls, residential homes, music festival s all over Cornwall, theatres, Radio Cornwall, and the Royal Cornwall Show three times, most recently in June 2011.

We compete at the LABBS Convention and try to go as often as we can, and these are held a different venue’s throughout England and Wales. These are our ‘shot in the arm’ events where we catch up with old friends and make lots of new ones – it really is one big happy family – 2000 ladies singing – WOW!

We also treat ourselves to retreats. They are supposed to be working weekends, and we do work, but we also have fun once work is out of the way.

But just exactly where did we get our name from – well – it came from the Brunel Public House in Saltash where our founder members used to meet, we told you we have fun! Since then we have used the Saltash Guildhall, until they closed for refurbishment; then we moved to a church hall at Botus Fleming about 3 miles from Saltash (until they wanted us to do the cleaning once a month!!); and then back into the town to Burraton Community Centre, where we have been ever since. They really look after us and it is truly our home – and long may it continue to be so.

Member of LABBS - Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers

Registered Charity No: 1091183