In 1940 Portsmouth received intense air-raids and Portsmouth City Police, together with wartime colleagues, spent many hours on stand-by. To raise spirits, officers began to sing together, and a choir was formed. Portsmouth City Police Choir was in demand to lift morale and for fund-raising activities in the battered city. Concerts were given with the Band of the Royal Marines and invitations to broadcast soon followed.
After amalgamation of police forces in 1967 it became the Hampshire Police Male Voice Choir, now with around 50 members, current and retired officers and members of the Community and a Music Team consisting of Musical Director Geoffrey Porter with accompanists Nigel Smith and Siân Bibby-Hsia.
The Choir’s charitable activities have raised many thousands of pounds for local and national organisations, also promoting Hampshire Constabulary’s Crime Prevention, Community Safety and Trading Standards messages. During the past year the choir raised a considerable amount for the Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance while currently their charity of the year is the Rowans Hospice.
The Choir has sung in a number of prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall, the former Cardiff Arms Park, Hyde Park, many cathedrals and in recent years there have been tours to York, Cornwall and East Sussex. Visits abroad have included Germany, Malta, Croatia, France and Belgium, where in the latter it had the privilege to sing in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate and lay a wreath.
We are proud to host this popular group of current and retired police officers and members of the community, as they sing a huge collection of well known songs, including some from stage and screen, culminating in a World War Two medley to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. Book tickets by clicking on the button below.
Doors open from 6.30pm. There will be an opportunity to buy refreshments.