IMERYS EASTERN AREA MALE VOICE CHOIR

Chairman:	A Goudge
Musical Director:	A Mugford
Secretary:	P Liddicoat, 38 Clarence Road, St Austell, PL25 5NL. Tel: (01726) 70845.

CHOIR PROGRAMME IMERYS EASTERN AREA MALE CHOIR practises every Monday evening (except during August) at Par, St Mary Chapel. New members are always made most welcome. A BRIEF HISTORY AND WHAT WE DO NOW Imerys Eastern Area Male Choir was founded in 1947 in the Cornish village of Bugle in the heart of China Clay country. It was one of many works choirs supported by the clay companies. In those days choirs played a major part in the social entertainment of the local communities and there were regular competitions between the various choirs. Being a member of a winning choir brought some privilege and status. Today there are 3 works choirs in the St Austell area - the Eastern Area, the Ladies and the Engineers Choirs, all of whom are supported by the China Clay company. The Eastern Area choir toured Holland in 1997 and in May of 1999 was in Galway, Ireland, where they performed in Galway City Cathedral and elsewhere in the region. The Choir also toured the Forest of Dean in September 2001. In 2002 members of the choir were represented at the Festival of Cornish Male Voice Choirs at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The choir draws its members from all areas of the locality, with several from Fowey. The Choir is the current holder of the Clay Cup, held annually during the St Austell Music Festival in December. In 2007 the Choir will be visiting Holland, Belgium and Germany to celebrate their 60th Anniversary. Imerys Eastern Area Male Choir gives many of its engagements for charity, including local hospices, church restoration funds, the Salvation Army, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Disease Society, to mention but a few. The French company, IMERYS, having taken over the ECCI Clay Company, are continuing the long tradition of supporting the works choirs and in so doing are helping to keep alive this special part of our Cornish musical heritage.