John Penn

Vice President

John is our longest serving Chairman of the Society and was appointed a Vice-President at our 2024 AGM where he retired after 25 years of heading the Society. 

His entry into the world of music began as a soprano chorister in the local church choir, and his introduction to Gilbert and Sullivan was when he was persuaded at work to join a local operatic society’s production of The Pirates of Penzance where  he was immediately captivated by Gilbert’s words and Sullivan’s music.  He went on to play many of the bass baritone roles in further productions and took singing lessons to train his strong baritone voice.  He joined the Gilbert and Sullivan Society in the mid-1990s and became Chairman in 1999.

John's service  represents a quarter of the Society’s 100 years!  In fact, the second longest was a mere 13 years.  He is not generally a person to push himself forwards but behind the scenes he has achieved, with a quiet dignity, a great deal for the Society in his years at the helm. He oversaw the change to charitable status and has promoted and encouraged many projects taking the Society forwards.  There is much for us to be grateful to him.

John was delighted and humbled to be appointed a Vice-President and also to receive a letter of congratulations and best wishes on his retirement from  HRH The Duke of Gloucester at the AGM.  This special message was sent in  despite having HRH having given up his patronage of us just a few weeks earlier. Our President, Cynthia Morey, also penned a few words for this occasion:

His name, as you know is John Penn,
He's been Chairman since goodness knows when,
Presiding at meetings
At farewells and greetings,
Even banquets (well, just now and then)
He's really enjoyed every day
Of his long quarter-century stay,
But is ending his time
(And also, this rhyme!)
In this rather Gilbertian way.
Although John will now be retired,
He will still be around, much admired.
And the world of Savoy
Which gives us such joy
Is always on hand when required.