Shawbury Military Wives choir record new album

The wives got together at the RAF Shawbury Officers’ Mess to record vocals for the second album.

The choir at Shawbury was the brainchild of Michelle Gee who had previously lived in Portsmouth whilst her husband was serving at the London Air Traffic Control Centre. Michelle said, ‘Just before leaving Portsmouth I got involved with the Military Choir and enjoyed the singing sessions. I decided, on arriving back at Shawbury, to ask around the Station to see if there was any interest and it went from there. We now have over 30 members from wives, daughters, Station staff as well as recently gaining members from Clive Barracks near Ternhill. Those Ladies are wives of the serving personnel from the 1st Royal Irish Regiment.’

The choir regularly practise at the airbase under the leadership of Choirmaster, Neil Welch. Neil is a local man and runs Hawkstone Cars. He gives his free time to assisting the Ladies, who recently performed live for the first time at a performance in Shawbury Village Hall as part of the Jubilee celebrations. The Choir is booked to play a concert in Sutton Coldfield in November and at a Royal British Legion fundraiser in Shawbury in October. They will also perform to their home audience at the RAF Shawbury Autumn Reception on 6 September.

Wing Commander Chesh Cowieson, Officer Commanding Operations and Base Support Wing said, ‘RAF Shawbury is delighted to have its own Military Wives Choir. The sense of community is fantastic and I know the wives enjoy the support of each other, especially those whose partners are deployed on Operations. Under Neil’s guidance, and Michelle’s leadership the choir has worked really hard and sound fantastic. It is fabulous that wives and partners from the 1st Royal Irish Regiment have joined also joined us’.