Essex Police Community Choir finish on a high note at farewell concert

The Essex Police Community Choir left the stage to a standing ovation as they said goodbye after 35 years with a final Christmas concert at St Luke’s Church in Tiptree.

The choir performed a medley of festive favourites alongside the Suffolk Constabulary Male Voice Choir in what chairman Tony Willson described as an “epic” send-off.

The Tiptree concert was their 362^nd and marked the retirement of musical director Norman Eastbrook MBE. Several choir members were set to follow Norman by stepping away, and with the recruitment of new members proving increasingly difficult, the choir have decided to disband.

Since their formation in 1989, they have raised in the region of £350,000 for good causes and performed concerts in countries as far away as Canada and Poland.

A dozen former members returned to witness their final show, which featured original chairman Bob Hayes, the last remaining founder member still performing.

Tony Willson said it was emotional evening for the choir who were determined to go out on a positive note:

“It was a fabulous night. We had a standing ovation from the audience and there was a feeling at the end of it that we’d done exactly what we’d wanted to do and go out on a high.

“With Norman Eastbrook retiring, there were half a dozen members who decided it was time for them to go. It would have reduced our numbers to around twenty.

“The decision had to be, do we go on with twenty and not be able to give as good performances as we’ve done before, or do we go out with a bang? We decided to go out with a bang.”

Tony added that the choir were proud of the money of they’ve raised in that time – they believe they’re responsible for the largest number of disabled toilets installed in churches in Essex – and he hoped their legacy would live on as members join other choirs throughout the region.

Reflecting on the news that the choir had decided to call time, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said:

“It’s a shame that our choir will no longer be performing but we should remember the amount of joy they have brought people and the fantastic fundraising work they did over more than three decades.

“Having enjoyed going to their concerts, it’s clear they had very high standards so while it’s a sad day, the decision to bring the curtain down while they’re performing at their peak rather than carry on with reduced numbers is entirely understandable.”

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