Saturday 7th June 2025 – Celebrating Thamesdown Ladies Choir’s 50 Years of Singing. SMVC were invited to sing at this special concert held at Immanuel United Reformed Church , Upham Road, Swindon.

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Over the years Thamesdown Ladies Choir and SMVC have shared the stage many times and it was really special to be invited to share in their celebration of the 50th year of singing.

Once again the choirs were raising funds for charity, and on this occasion the money raised was shared between Great Western Hospital Breast Cancer Centre and Swindon Prostrate Cancer Support. 

The programme included two joint items ‘Shine’ and ‘Music’,  arranged by SMVC Music Director, Kirstie Smith, especially for the occasion. TLC Music Director, Shelley Morgan conducted these items. TLC accompanist Frances Couldridge and SMVC Accompanist, Kate Lock added their expert talents to make this an outstanding concert, worthy of the occasion. The concert attracted a capacity audience, who created a great atmosphere.

These are photographs taken at the concert:


SMVC line up shortly before the concert.


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SMVC and TLC singing one of the  joint items.

Photographs of SMVC and TLC singing in the first half.

SMVC take off their blazers and change their ties for some rousing second half songs.

A change of dress too for TLC in the second half.

Representatives from the two charities give their thanks.

A final joint number to end the concert.

A little fun at the end of the concert - TLC parade uniforms worn 'over the years'.

After concert celebration with some bubbly and cake!

A great evening was had by all, and one worthy of this special celebration.


Saturday 26th April 2025 – Concert at St. Paul’s Church, Covingham, Swindon. SMVC and Cor Persain. The proceeds of the event going to Parkinson’s UK.

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It was lovely to be back at St Paul’s church for this evening, especially supporting our friends of the Swindon Parkinson’s Activity Group.

We were pleased to welcome Cor Persain to share the concert with us. The choir travelled from Ammanford, South Wales, and we enjoyed their variety of music as well as the humour provided by their Director of Music, Huw Morgan. 

The audience were well entertained by the music and fun! 

These are photographs taken at the concert:


Cor Persain take the stage, directed by Huw Morgan, and accompanied by, Dr Catherine Morgan.


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SMVC, directed by Kirstie Smith and accompanied by Kate Lock.

Choirs combined to sing, 'An American Trilogy'.

Words of thanks for this fundraising event, and the evenings entertainment  were given by Graham Vaughan from the Swindon Parkinson's Activity Group.

A group photo of the performers on the night.

SMVC Chairman, John Mills presents our Director of Music, Kirstie Smith with a gift from the choir.

Some well earned drinks after the an excellent concert. we look forward to singing with Cor Persain in South Wales later in the year.


Saturday 22nd March 2025 – Concert at St Bartholomew’s Church, Royal Wootton Bassett. SMVC and Sing 4/4 Community Choir. The proceeds of the event going to St Sampson’s School Music Education Fund, Cricklade.

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As well as raising money for the Sampson School Music Education fund this concert was an opportunity for both choirs to pay tribute to Mary New who passed away in January, 2025. She was a longstanding and faithful friend of the SMVC for over 30 years. Mary New was SMVC’s accompanist for a number of years and was awarded the honour of Lifetime Membership.

These are photographs taken at the concert:


SMVC Concert Secretary, Gordie Smith introduces the choirs to the audience.


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Choir Secretary, Simon Grove delivers a tribute to Mary New.

Sing 4/4 Community Choir also paid tribute to Mary New, who founded their choir in 2010.

There were two presentations on the evening, going to Geoff Sanders (left) and David Palmer (right), who are both are members of the Bass Section. Geoff is the also Choir Treasurer. Their awards recognised 10 years of loyal service to the choir. 

The two choirs joined together for the final item of the night, 'Cwm Rhondda'.


Christmas 2024

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As usual, the Christmas Period was a very busy one for the choir. This year we raised funds for, ‘The Recovery Tree Charity’ which supports people with mental health problems. Well over £1000 was raised for this charity. 

Venues were:

Christ Church, Old Town, Swindon. High Street Club, Old Town. Fairford United Church, Fairford. St. John’s Church, Swindon. 

These are photographs taken at some of these events:


Christ Church was once again the venue of our annual Carol Concert. Our guests were Wroughton Silver Band and Janice Thompson Performnce Trust. 


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The photographs below show three of our choristers receiving awards in recognition of 20 years of service. 

Paul Franklin (Top Tenor section and Deputy Chairman), dressed in Christmas attire.

Graham Tomlinson (Baritone section) - this presentation took place a few weeks before the Carol concert.

Graham Palmer (Bass Section).

Other events: Concert at Fairford, Gloucestershire.

Entertaining customers at the St. John's Church Christmas Fair.


Sunday 6th October 2024 – Hillier’s Service of Remembrance at Christ Church, Swindon.

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Swindon MVC were invited to participate in this very special Service of Remembrance organised by Hillier’s Funeral Services. The service  was very emotional and beutifully organised, and one SMVC was proud to support.

Saturday, 28th September 2024. Concert at St Paul’s Church, Swindon. Our first event for the new choir year.

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Organised by the church, the concert was to raise funds for urgently needed roof repairs. We were performing with special guest – Tilly Wale – Soprano.
£800 was raised!

SMVC's guest soloist - Tilly Wale
Soloist Tilly Wale

Saturday, 13th July 2024 – Concert with Andover Ladies Choir at St. Mary’s Church, Andover

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We were so impressed by Andover Ladies Choir when we first heard them sing at a charity event that last year we invited them to sing with us at one of our concerts in Swindon. So this was the ‘return leg’, and the second time we had sung together.

It was a really enjoyable way to end our season.

These are some photographs of the concert:


What a fantanstic venue - St Mary's Church, Andover.

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Joint items added to the variety of music brought together for this special concert. Musical Directors, Kirstie Smith and Clare Oliver showed, whether they had one or two choirs to conduct, they were up to the task. 

The concert finished with some words of thanks to everyone involved.         

Singing with another choir is always special. Everyone enjoyed themselves, including the audience. So the trip back to Swindon was a very happy one.

By the way, there are no photos of the buffet we had after the concert but it was worthy of some!


Saturday, 8th – Sunday 9th June, 2024 – SMVC Trip to Malvern – Concert with Malvern Male Voice Choir, Singing at Pershore Abbey and St. James Church, Bishampton.

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A great weekend away started on Saturday 8th June, when we teamed up with Malvern Male Voice Choir at Holy Trinity Church, Malvern for a concert which was one of the first to be staged following recent renovations to the church.

Early afternoon, the next day, SMVC sang at Pershore Abbey, not in concert, but just for the experience of singing at such a wonderful venue.

Later on Sunday we had a concert at St. James Church, Bishampton, to raising funds for repair the church roof. One of the highlights of the day was the fantastic food and welcome we had on arriving.

The photographs show what a great time we had.


Almost there!

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Malvern Male Voice Choir and SMVC - formal Photos


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Some practice before the concert for the joint items and with our soloist, Rachel Smith. SMVC MD Kirstie Smith and MMVC Conductor, Charles Pavey. 

Deputy MD and accompanist Kate Lock

Two new members of SMVC tenor section, David Babington and Gary Martin perform at their first concert and are presented with SMVC cufflinks by our Chairman, John Mills.

Gifts are exchanged between the two choirs to celebrate the first time we have sung together.

The following day we sing at Pershore Abbey.

Later that afternoon we travel to St. James' Church, Bishampton

First stop is to have some sustenance - and we were treated to some delicious, homemade food.

The next photos show how much we enjoyed this trip and what the choir is all about. Thanks to all who made it a weekend to remember.

We did get to the concert eventually. And to a full audience we enjoyed every minute.

Yes, more food! What a warm welcome and a great atmosphere

For some it was all too much.