Double firsts for conductors Fionnuala and Sam

8 June: Croydon Male Voice Choir made history on Saturday when, for the first time in its 51 years existence, it was conducted by a woman.

The watershed moment came during the final set at its concert at St Mary’s Caterham. That was when Fionnuala Ward stepped on to the podium to lead the choir through two hymns, Morte Criste and Gwahoddiad – the latter sung partly in Welsh.

Fionnuala makes history with CMVC

Great day in St Albans – another cathedral notched

2 June: The choir enjoyed an action-packed outing to St Albans on Saturday 30 May, singing at a succession of venues despite the temperature touching 28C during the afternoon (82F in old money).

CMVC sings in its latest cathedral (photos Paul Binge)

Vic wins hearts, Pete wins prize

30 April: Two choir veterans with 56 years membership between them were in the spotlight this week.

Vic Wallace stole hearts when he appeared on Channel 4’s talent contest Your Song on April 27. Vic, 90, a choir member since 1993, sang in the London section of the contest, where the winner would go through to a grand final at Hackney Empire.

Vic, winning hearts on tv

From familiar Essex to new-found Penge!

27 April: CMVC delighted audiences at joint concerts over successive weekends in Essex and Penge. The choir performed with the Swift Singers in South Woodham Ferrers on Saturday 18 April, then sang in the finale of the Penge Music Festival on Sunday 26 April.

CMVC thrills Penge (Photo Victoria Rockport)

Brilliant result for Kenya children’s charity

24 March: The choir headlined an inspirational charity concert in Caterham on Saturday. The charity funds a deprived market community in western Kenya and the concert, with five different acts, raised a brilliant total of £3700.

Andrew conducts choir at St Mary’s (photo: Andrew Greenslade)

Choir donates to Crisis homeless charity

8 February: Choir chair Kim Ormond handed a donation of £916 for the Crisis homeless charity to its representative Leigh Hall at an affecting ceremony at choir rehearsal on Thursday.