He sang for his supper — at 85

Press, 4 June 1982, Page 3

He sang for his supper — at 85

A well known Christchurch tenor, Mr Ernest Rogers, had to sing for his supper on his sixtieth wedding anniversary last evening. Mr Rogers and his wife,' Nellie (at right) have lived in Christchurch since 1926, when they emigrated from Wales to New Zealand.

Most of their family, which numbers three children. six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, met last evening at the home of a granddaughter to celebrate the diamond wedding. The only catch was that Mr Rogers, who is 85, was required to sing. Not that he minded — “the only way to stop a Welshman singing is to cut his throat,” he said.

Mr and Mrs Rogers were married in Blaenavon, a town on the River Avon in Gwent, Wales, on June 3, 1922.

Slight deafness has not stopped a singing hobby of more than 50 years standing, during which time Mr Rogers thinks he has. sung in every Christchurch church except the Synogogue.

At 85, he is still an active member of the Christchurch Liedertafei and hopes to still be singing in three years when the choir marks its centenary.

Other accomplishments have included being a regular soloist in radio broadcasts during the 1930 s and 19405, and 30 years spent as tenor layclerk at Christchurch Cathedral. Mr Rogers has also been a member of the Christchurch Male Voice Choir, the Royal Christchurch Musical Society, the Christchurch Harmonic Society, and several other choirs.

The couple’s recipe for a long marriage is a give and take relationship. . “You must be kind, you must be good and keep the wife in kindling wood,” is Mr Rogers motto. Since retiring as head storeman at the Dalgety New Zealand warehouse, Mr Rogers has devoted his hours to singing, gardening, and bowls.

Mrs Rogers plays bridge and is a member of the Christchurch Women’s Club and the Opawa Baptist Church.