Bognor friends perform in choir at Rugby World Cup

Julie Gillson, Jenny Hicklin and Margaret Murphy are members of the Games Maker Choir who have been performing at games during the tournament.

The choir have sung in a pool match between South Africa and the USA as well as the first quarter final between South Africa and Wales at Twickenham in front of 80,000 fans.

Jenny said: “One of the skills of the Games Maker Choir is learning many different anthems from all over the world, in their own tongue, to be word and pitch perfect.

“Samoan, South African, Fiji, New Zealand, Welsh, plus Belgian, Dutch and German for the recent EuroHockey tournament, are just a few of the many anthems we have learnt.

“Our repertoire also includes modern music and operatic style, we are a truly professional choir.

“Standing in the middle of the Twickenham pitch for the quarter final of South Africa again Wales on October 17, surrounded by fireworks, the rugby players, 80,000 fans and a TV audience from around the world was rather exclusive and memorable.

The Games Maker Choir was formed for the London 2012 Olympics and is made up of 150 volunteers who perform at huge international sporting events such as the Rugby World Cup to help keep the spirit of the Games alive.

The Bognor ladies travel together each month and join choir friends from all over the country in Clapham, South London, to rehearse.

Margaret said: “I was lucky enough to be chosen to welcome the USA rugby team in the Ward Room of HMS Victory in Portsmouth at one of the official team welcome ceremonies, and then helped welcome thousands of spectators to the Brighton Community Stadium in September at the matches which kicked off the global tournament.

“So the Olympic adventure continues in ways we could never have imagined.”

The world cup final is between New Zealand and Australia and takes place at Twickenham this Sunday.

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