A highly respected male voice choir member has stepped down from his duties after over 30 years of service.
Graham Benbow has retired from Rhayader & District Male Voice Choir, after first joining the group in 1991.
The keen first tenor stepped down after over 30 years with the choir - as both a key vocalist and a important committee member throughout that time.
After becoming Chair in 1994, a position he held for eight years, Graham played major roles in organising many events including the choirs first ever trip abroad to America.
He followed this up, using his excellent organising skills honed from his business background, with trips to Germany, Ireland and Brittany. Choir members have wonderful memories of these trips, proving their value to the group.
He also played a key role in the design of the current choir uniform - a big change from the dinner suits the members previously performed in.
After his time as Chair, Graham stood in as secretary for a while before an eight-year run as Press Officer, a position he was particularly proud of. He was the voice of the choir, a task that also ran over to his involvement as compère - perhaps the most difficult job within the choir - but one which he relished on and off for around 20 years.
At a choir event held recently, Graham’s service was recognised with the presentation of a beautiful clock by Colin Mills.
Graham, who retired for personal reasons, will be greatly missed by the choir and particularly the committee, but he says that the companionship and involvement is what he will miss most.