St. Anthony, The Kymin, Monmouth,
Monmouthshire, NP25 3SD
telephone :- 01600 713852
E-mail :- alan.lightly@virgin.net
I am already too old to sing "When I'm Sixty-four", and got my bus pass on the 13th November 1999. I have however found a new lease of life and a passionate interest in this wonderful hobby, which has in only just over two years, transformed my life and that of my wife, Ena.
We have three sons, all happily married and living in Monmouth, and six grandchildren who range from eight to eighteen years old. I can't think of anywhere else I would prefer to be, or to be with.
Before retiring at the age of 55 in 1989 I worked all my working life as a forester in the Forestry Commission and studied electronics to degree level and became a member of the Institute of Measurement and Control M. Inst. M. C. For the last 15 years of employment I was the Deputy Radio Officer and ran a radio servicing department for England and Wales with design responsibilities for the electronic control of the then, new influx of timber harvesting machines.
I have been entertaining in the Monmouth area for twenty- five years and started by playing the electronic organ in the White Swan, Monmouth and for the Elizabethan feasts and dinner dances at the Old Court, Symonds Yat. I then became the resident entertainer at the Priory Motel, Skenfrith for many years. I am a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with a varied repertoire ranging from singalong and strict tempo modern and latin dance music to ballads and country music and play keyboards, accordion, guitar and banjo. Since retiring in 1989 I have been a volunteer at Bridges Community Centre, helping with the day centre (COMIC - Citizens of Monmouth Interest Centre), driving the minibus and entertaining our more elderly friends and playing for charitable functions locally.
For recreation and fresh air I adore cycling and was formerly very active in long distance cycling and a member of Audax UK. I still ride frequently and use the time to listen to and learn new arrangements
Since deciding that I had some spare time to be able to get totally involved in barbershop singing I now have no time left at all, but have found the most absorbing hobby with so many facets that I can get into. Archiving all the teach tape recordings on to CD for easy reproduction, producing publicity and recruitment material, P.R.O. work, music team commitments and trying to organise the leads as the lead section leader.
The added bonus is that barbershop singing is an activity for the whole family, our chorus has a very active group of lady supporters who come to the majority of sing-outs and enjoy the impromptu singing in the afterglows.