Two Special Memorial Services 10 & 11 December 2019

Perhaps there is some symbolism here. Two evenings running the rain thundered down and the days are shorter and darker at this time of year anyway, but then we arrived into the warmth and light of two lovely churches in order to take part in two very touching events.

Albion United Reformed Church 10 December

This is a huge church yet it was beautifully warm when we arrived, and all lit it by the Christmas Tree Festival exhibits. The memorial service here was arranged by Co-op Funeralcare Tameside Region.

St Wilfrid’s Church  11 December

This is a more intimate but equally charming church. And equally warm. We’ve been here before and were indeed welcomed like old friends. The service this time was organised by Northenden Funeralcare, also part of the Co-op group. 

These were memorial services, not funerals and though there is some sadness as loved ones who have passed recently are remembered, there was more joy and reverence than darkness. This was apparent in the very appropriate and moving readings at each event.   

On both occasions candles were lit to shine in the dark as a list of loved ones was read out. 

We sang a few well-known carols – Away in a Manger (both), Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Albion), O Come All Ye Faithfull (St Wilfrid’s) , Once in Royal David’s City (Albion) and  Silent Night (both). And at both venues we also sang The Blessing and Bridge over Troubled Waters, both of which fitted the theme of the events very well. In addition we sang The Water is Wide at St Wilfrid’s.  

It was good, too, to be able to chat to attendees and organisers over refreshments at the end of each service.

We must thank Funeral Celebrant Martin McNally for putting us in touch with the organisers. He happens to be one of our basses! 

What a privilege to be able to take part in these very special occasions.      

Victoria Baths Pop-up Cinema 6-8 December

It’s almost as cold inside the building as it is outside.  But who cares? What do they say? No such thing as bad weather only bad clothing? Everyone, - choir, cinema-goers and staff - are wrapped up in winter coats, Christmassy hats and jumpers and colourful warm scarves. We also wear fairy lights. Anyway, you can hire hot water bottles and blankets. Then there are the treats in the food hall – pies, cakes, mulled wine and hot chocolate, and much more besides.  

We sing first of all near the entrance hall as folk arrive. Here we present some of the old favourites, those carols that everyone knows: Away in a Manger, Coventry Carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, Once in Royal David’s City, and Silent Night.  We add in some other songs we like – Going to Bethlehem Holly Jolly, Hush be Still and Past Three A Clock. This is such a lovely building to sing in. It always enriches the sound. 

After a short break we move up to the balcony overlooking the Sports Hall, where they are serving the food. So many people have arrived now that the place buzzes. 

Now we offer a few more well-known songs – including Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and The Twelve Days of Christmas.  (Watch out for the actions in this one. Can you keep up? )  

Another short break and we’re down in front of the screen.  People are now beginning to take their seats. The film will start shortly. We repeat our first set and add in Carol of the Bells.  My, don’t those “bells” ring out well in this space.

Soon the bath is full. People have settled into their deckchairs and have their blankets and hot water bottles ready. There is some excitement now. 

The films shown are ones that we’ve all seen before, probably many times.  But of course they are always better on the big screen and the festive atmosphere here adds an extra layer of anticipation.

Well worth a visit, then. It’s too late for this year but watch out for it again. Recommended.                    

Christmas Markets 29 November 2019

It’s a squash and a squeeze in the centre of Manchester on a Friday evening at just after five o’clock. Commuters going home mingle with families and groups of friends coming into town for a bit of festive fun. It’s proper winter cold, too, though there isn’t a wind so it’s bearable. Anyway, singing keeps you warm or at least takes your mind off the weather. We’re lucky – it’s been a week of mainly rain.  

There we all are, wrapped up warm, some with trademark purple hats, purple tinsel and fairy lights.

People stop to listen.  The old familiar carols are popular: Away in a Manger, Hark the Herald, Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Once in Royal David’s City and Silent Night. We enjoy as well White Christmas, Hail Smiling Morn and Holly Jolly. We finish with Carol of the Bells.  

Then there are pancakes, strudel, mulled wine and hot chocolate laced with brandy.  Well, why not; it’s less than month to Christmas after all. 

And there will be a repeat performance on 17 December, same time same place - 5.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. St Anne’s Square, Manchester.       

At the Manchester Monastery 13 October 2019

“I’d love to be with you when you walk into the Nave,” says the volunteer who greets me when I arrive. “You’ll find it quite a sight.”   

The café is already buzzing and quite a few people are already making their way towards the main event.  Twelve choirs will sing today. 

Oh yes. The volunteer is right.  The monastery has been beautifully restored. Franciscans first came to Gorton in 1861. They wanted to create a great friary at the heart of the community. Architect Edward Pugin designed the monastery in 1866. He is associated with sacred geometry.  We may not understand what that is, but one thing is sure: the St Francis Monastery at Gorton, Manchester, is a fantastic place to sing in. Today it is lit with soft pink and violet lights. That goes nicely with our uniform, thank you! 

We’re able to listen to other choirs and then it’s our turn. The audience really appreciate Bridge Over Troubled Water. We offer another well-known song: The Water is Wide. Sway manages to go faster and faster just like it should. Then we finish with feel-good Everything I Do. 

Then it’s time for a round of drinks and snacks. Some of us manage to see a few more of the other choirs. It is always great at events like this how the choirs support each other. This was quite an informal gathering. A really lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. 

Occasionally we hear a song that we know as well, or at least another version of it. Another choir declare that they have cake in the break during rehearsals and that’s what keeps them going. That sounds familiar!  

Finally it is time for all the choirs to sing together.  It’s one we know. What a Wonderful World.  It certainly is on days like this. 

Thank you so much to those who organised this. A fantastic day indeed.              

Buxton Fringe 20 July 2019

 

We do cake!

The Fringe is alive and vibrant as ever despite the early morning rain. My sat nav brings me  via a crazy route and gets me there twenty minutes early. In time, in fact, to see the East Kent Morris Dancers cross the road in front of the United Reformed Church. Ooh.  Are they going to dance outside the church? Will it be a problem?  Of course it won’t.  We have rhythm and music as well.   

It’s still raining as folk begin to arrive, some anxious that there may not be any tickets left and others clutching the print outs of their advance booking. Meanwhile inside our gang is busy setting out teacups and the cakes, and, of course, rehearsing. 

“Don’t worry,” I say to those assembled in the lobby. “There’s room for all.”   

Our reviewer attends this first concert. You can read the full review here.  (You’ll need to scroll down).

We sing for an hour, an hour which just flies by. There are some songs they’ve heard before and plenty of new ones as well. Jeff puts us through our paces with The Water is Wide, The Blessing, Cool Moon, Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Over the Rainbow, I Say a Little Prayer, Somewhere Out There, I Got Rhythm, One Day Like This, Fix You, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Everything I Do, I Do it for You, Kiss the Girl and Here Comes the Sun. Amanda and Helen are our soloists.

Then the elves get busy again. There are cakes and tea aplenty. We also treat (well we enjoy it anyway) our audience to Sway as they eat and drink.  

The Fringe moves on. Minutes after we’ve cleared up another group arrives with a harpsichord and I exchange notes with their organiser about the fun that is the Buxton Fringe. As we stroll around in the now reasonably sunny Buxton we come across all kinds of interesting performances. 

Soon it is time to make our way to St Mary’s where we enjoy a very warm welcome. The tables are set up ready for the cake and the water is boiling. It’s a lovely place to sing and we recognise some regulars in the audience. 

Again the hour passes very quickly and soon we’re into cake and tea again. “I must help you to clear up this cake,” says one of our fans, taking another slice.

Our audiences are lovely and it’s always great to chat to them after our performance. We’ve also had, as ever, enthusiastic support from local businesses and organisations  who’ve taken and displayed our leaflets. 

Some of us go on to eat at the Tap House. Well it’s a brewery outlet and so it is noisy but the food is fine and the beer pretty good as is the company, of course. The staff are friendly, and hardworking.  

  

And outside the East Kent Morris Dancers are performing.      

Postscript   https://www.buxtonfringe.org.uk/awards2019.html