“I won’t settle for anything other than your very best, every time”. That’s what coach Peggy Gram told us as we embarked on inspirational two nights working with her on our contest songs.

Peggy comes with a Sweet Adelines pedigree of the first order. She’s been a member of the organisation for 43 years. “A girl should not have that much fun in her life” she laughingly told us. Peggy is the bass with the internationally acclaimed quartet "Rumours" who were crowed International Champions in 1999. She’s also a certified showmanship judge and was Director of Top of the Rock Chorus in Arkansas for 25 years.

Her quietly commanding style had us working our socks off over two consecutive nights. But as well as hard work, there were plenty of laughs thanks to Peggy’s wonderful sense of humour.

At the end of her visit our President Helen presented Peggy with a token of our appreciation.