LABBS was founded in 1976 and has gone from strength to strength and now has a membership of over 1,800 in 48 Choruses.

I was proud to become Chairman of LABBS at the AGM in March 2009. I took over from Jacqui Edwards who is a hard act to follow. As Chairman for the past two years, Jacqui has been a wonderful ambassador for LABBS and has chaired the Association in a charming and fair manner. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my personal appreciation – and that of the Executive – to Jacqui for all her hard work. As she is continuing with other roles within the Association, we will not be losing her expertise for some time to come.

The standard of our Quartets and Choruses never ceases to amaze me and we can all be proud of those that represent us as our Champions. At the recent European Convention in Holland, we were well represented and I was delighted that LABBS Choruses proved that they really are Champions with the White Rosettes winning Gold and the Cheshire Chord Company Silver; in addition, Amersham A Cappella were 5th and Gem Connection 8th. Our Quartets also did well with NoteOrious coming 4th, Havoc 8th and Fizz! 10th.

LABBS, BABS (the Men’s Association) and Sweet Adelines International Region 31 (the American Ladies Barbershop Association that has some Member Choruses in the UK) are running a Barbershop Awareness Week culminating in a Champions Show at the London Palladium on 20 September 2009. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet please contact the box office or call on 0844 412 4657.

If you are not yet a Barbershop singer, why not contact a club near you and I promise you that you will never look back – I didn’t and the friendship and support that I have received over the years has been unbelievable. If you are under 25, why not join The IVY League, the LABBS Youth Chorus!

In harmony,

Kath Good
LABBS Chairman
May 2009