ROBERT HYWEL DAVIES, M.B.E.

The death on Tuesday 31st July 2007 of Robert "Bob" Davies has brought a huge sense of loss to very many people, for Bob touched many lives in one way or another. Those who knew him will never forget his warm personality, his keen interest in people and his unfailing sense of humour.
Bob was born in Silverdale, Staffordshire in 1930, one of three children, and into a keenly musical family, and although it is in the realm of music that Bob will mostly be remembered, he had many and varied interests. He devoted much of his life in service to the community where-ever he lived in sporting activities, music or charitable fund-raising. In his native Staffordshire he was a keen sportsman - as a cricketer and football referee.
He brought these interests to Nottinghamshire when he and his family moved here in the early 1960's, and continued them to a high level.
He won great respect from players and officials alike, and his good humour would defuse many a tense situation. Music was Bob's life-long passion and commitment. Indeed, he has a photograph of himself conducting the junior school band at the age of seven. He progressed through school, chapel, mixed and male-voice choirs as singer and conductor, and also achieved success as a soloist in competitions and festivals during the 1960's. He sang in Newcastle (under-Lyme) MVC, and also was a founder member of the Dalian Singers, a choir based in Silverdale.
It was Bob's employment as a representative for an oil company that brought the move to Nottinghamshire, where he continued his musical activities, and in 1972 he was appointed musical Director of the then Carlton and District Male Voice Choir -now Carlton Male Voice Choir. The choir then numbered about 35 singers, but under his direction the choir grew in both numbers and musical stature, becoming one of the foremost male voice choirs in the Midlands. As the reputation of the choir grew and spread more joined, and when he retired as MD in 1993 the choir numbered some 65 singers, and the foundations he laid by his experience and skill (and patience) enabled the choir to achieve success in competitive singing for the first time. Other activities made possible during Bob's leadership as the choir grew to a suitable size, was the formation of links with the Gedling Borough German twin town, Rotenburg-an-der-Fulda, and five successful exchanges were made during his time. Links have been maintained and fresh ones made in Greece and with the twin towns of the City and Broxtowe Borough.
Whilst conductor with Carlton Bob's advice and expertise were often sought by other choirs and conductors and such advice was always freely and willingly given. He became an executive member of the Midlands (Group 10) of the National Association of Choirs and was elected President in recognition of his devoted service and he held the post with distinction and pride. He was also closely associated with the Selston Music festival in the town in which he lived, and provided much musical advice as well as holding the Treasurer's post.In recognition of all that Bob achieved at Carlton, he was elected an honorary Life Vice-President and Conductor Emeritus.
Soon after Bob's retirement from Carlton the first signs of the Parkinson's Disease began to show, but, undeterred and with typical determination, he returned as a singer to Carlton for a short spell before going to the aid of Chesterfield MVC who were without a conductor at the time, and remained there for almost three years. His advancing Parkinson's Disease was to curtail much more involvement- but never his interest - and he attended events until fairly recently. The devoted care and attention given to him by his wife, Linda, enabled him live as full a life as his illness allowed. During Robert Davies' time at Carlton many thousands of pounds were raised for charitable causes. This was close to Bob's heart and even when his involvement with choirs ended he continued fund-raising for the Parkinson's Disease Association, which, at his request, was Carlton's chosen charity in 2003. In recognition of his wider service to the world of music and particularly to Male Voice Choirs he was appointed an M.B.E. in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 2005 - an award thoroughly deserved and of which he was justly proud.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, and daughter Gwyneth and son Paul to whom we extend our sincere sympathy at this time of sadness.

John Hardiman