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Avon Cliff Resident Performs Operatic Duet

A recent concert at Avon Cliff provided a memorable moment for resident Michael Griffiths, who fulfilled a long-held wish to perform The Pearl Fishers Duet in front of an audience.
Michael, aged 89, has a lifelong background in opera and classical singing. Over the years, he has performed with choirs and operatic societies, including the London Philharmonic Choir and the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, and has taken principal roles in all 12 Gilbert and Sullivan operas as well as works by Mozart and Puccini.
When visiting tenor Gregory Steward returned to Avon Cliff for one of his regular performances, Michael approached Companion Team Leader Elise with a special request — to sing the well-known duet together.
Gregory, who graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with First Class Honours and has performed with ensembles including Tenebrae and the BBC National Chorus of Wales, agreed and learned the piece especially for the occasion, arriving the evening before the concert to rehearse with Michael.

On the day of the performance, the lounge was filled with anticipation as residents and visitors gathered. As the pair began the duet, the room fell silent, before erupting into applause at its conclusion. The performance drew a visibly emotional response from the audience.

Companion Team Leader Elise said: “It was a privilege to support Michael in bringing this wish to life. Seeing the response from everyone in the room, and the connection between Michael and Gregory, made it a truly special occasion.”

Gregory reflected: “I was delighted to perform The Pearl Fishers Duet with Michael. I have not previously had the opportunity to perform this famous aria, and it was a real pleasure to share the stage with someone whose enthusiasm for the piece matches my own.”
Michael added: “I felt privileged to sing with a tenor of such quality as Gregory, whose appearance here is always such a delight.”

Dotty Returns Behind The Counter

Resident Dotty, a former department store sales assistant, ‘came out of retirement’ for a morning when we arranged for her to volunteer at a cancer charity shop.

Dotty, 89, who lives at our home, was ‘in her element once again’ as she served customers at Wessex Cancer Support in Poole Road, Westbourne.

Dotty spent her whole career in retail, working for many years at the now-closed Beales store in Bournemouth and at the shoe shop Dolcis.

She didn’t need to be asked twice when Colten Companion Elise suggested she might like the chance to relive her retail days.

Elise knew that Dotty loved her career, has a personal connection with Wessex Cancer Support and had been thrilled when Avon Cliff residents chose it as the home’s charity for this year.

Having made the necessary arrangements with Wessex Cancer Support’s Alina, Retail Area Manager, and Hannah, Head of Volunteering and Training, Elise accompanied Dotty on a minibus trip to the shop.

“We spent the morning there with Alina and Hannah, and Dotty was soon back into the swing of things,” said Elise. “First, they invited her to check all the coat hangers were correctly labelled and looking neat. Then, under their guidance, she had a stint behind the till serving customers. Of course, she couldn’t resist a little browse on the job and even used her sales skills to convince me to buy a lovely winter coat. Dotty chatted with customers throughout the morning, helping one lady choose accessories to go with her new dress.”

Elise added: “Seeing Dotty in her element once again while doing something for a great cause was truly heartwarming. She relished the chance to be out in the community giving back to the charity we have been fundraising for this year. It was the best example of ‘retail therapy’, such a valuable experience.”
Dotty said: “Being here doing this again made me quite emotional. I forgot how much I love it. There is something about helping a customer put an outfit together that makes me feel great. Being back in this environment was unexpected but so brilliant and I am happy I can still do it.”
Alina said: “It was lovely to meet Dotty, welcome her to the shop and enable her to rekindle her retail skills. We’re so happy she enjoyed the experience and had fun.”

Alina’s comments were echoed by Hannah who said: “Much of what we do in our shop activities relies on volunteers and Dotty certainly provided excellent support.”

Opened in March 2024, Wessex Cancer Support’s Westbourne shop sells clothing, bric-a-brac and household items. It is the charity’s only Dorset shop, with four others in Hampshire and one on the Isle of Wight.

Wessex Cancer Support is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by cancer. From professional counselling, complementary therapies, activities, support groups and courses, the charity offers a range of free wellbeing and support services for people in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

For more information on Wessex Cancer Support, visit www.wessexcancer.org.uk.

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