Flowers on the Table and Singing in the Bath, Victoria Baths, 13 September 2015

Flowers on the table – that’s the key to the kingdom, the children’s rhyme goes. Choir members lurk behind pretty flower arrangements as we sample the delicious lemon drizzle and carrot and ginger cake. We’ve been to this building many times now. We’re still impressed with its beauty. There seems to be a new touch every time. Yes, these flower arrangements are exquisite – each one is a little different. It’s that attention to detail that makes the difference. We sing in front of a huge heart made of tissue and net flowers. We suspect there’s been a wedding here.  

Ordsall Community Allotment show, 5 September 2015

Salfordian red-brick town-houses, a well-run community café, a pretty garden, the gate opened officially the first time today by the mayor,  some impressive produce and some tidy and productive allotments- what more could one wish for? Sunshine perhaps, and a choir? Yep. We got those.         

Councils in the United Kingdom are supposed to pledge a certain amount of land to people in the borough to use for growing fruit, vegetables and horticultural items. The Shrerber movement in Germany sought to provide fresh air for growing children by creating allotment-type gardens. The allotments also helped to combat malnutrition. Families could grow their own healthy food. This is a really important initiative then in both countries, and the people of Ordsall do it wonderfully.

Fifth time at Buxton Fringe, 25 July 2015

You’ve done all the things you said you would. You’ve thought of everything that needs to be thought about. Or have you? What have you forgotten? Go through the checklist. No, all’s done. And some.

It’s inevitable that a few have to cancel at the last minute but we’ve still a balanced choir. Our MD is there and he’s had a good breakfast so is raring to go. We’ve had a short run through and it went well. It’s 10.40 and concert number one at the United Reformed Church begins at 11.00. All we need is an audience. We have built it. Will they come?

Sunshine and ice-creams: Swinton Grove Park Family Fun Day 4 July 2015

11.35 and folk begin to arrive. The grass steams gently as a warm sun clears the water left from last night’s storm. Already we’re seeking some shade. We’ve come here for several years now and we always associate it with sun. It’s such a happy event.

“Black is the new … black.” It’s our turn to sing. “Black with a touch of purple. The Ordsall  A Cappella Singers from Ordsall and beyond.”  Spot on. That is us indeed.

We’re a little reduced in numbers today and Jeff joins the basses and occasionally the tenors. Yet there are enough of us and we’re balanced. We just get on with it. We have the luxury of mics for the main event though they rather draw us into smaller groups. No matter: it works.

We sing a short set of songs that somehow go with the occasion: Viva la Musica, Smile, Here, There and Everywhere / Long Winding Road, Under the Boardwalk and Kiss the Girl. One gentleman has arrived late so we sing Soul Wind especially for him.

We’re treated to lunch. Many of us opt for the chicken leg and salad, which are very enjoyable. We’re made to feel very welcome.

Next it’s time for an ice-cream and another sing, this time on the mound below the trees, quite near to the bouncy castle. This time it’s I Got Rhythm, Joshua, Blue Skies and Viva la Musica again. It’s amazing how much an ice-cream can look like a hand-held mike …

The fun day is going well. We finish our stint and then we’re off duty. Several of us make our way over to the Elizabeth Gaskell House where we enjoy tea in real mugs and cake on real china plates. What value for money, too.  A whole pot of Earl Grey and a slice of lemon drizzle for just £2.00.

Where would we be without cake?

Don’t forget, there’ll be plenty of it and of our songs in Buxton 25 July! See you there?

A Cappella, Cake and a Tudor Hall: Ordsall Hall, 23 June 2015

Summer seems to have come at last. We gather outside and sit surrounded by luscious flower-beds. The wine has been delivered. We’ve brought along our tea-making kit. Mysterious packages containing good old A Cappella cake start arriving. We’re in for a treat. 

Our own flowers are there too, carefully looked after by new flower girl Barbara.

“Those who get here early get the best,” she says.

I manage to procure one that has two butterflies. Two butterflies!

“A quick warm up and a little run through then back out for photos,” says Jeff. Outside he climbs on to the wall. “Get into a space. Spread out a little more.”   

We’re framed by lavender.

Victoria Baths, Sunday 6 June 2015

There’s nothing quite like singing in the bath and that’s what we did again this week. The acoustics in this lovely old building are just brilliant. Especially when you’re in at the deep end of the Males 1^st Class. No, I don’t mean our two basses, our two male tenors and Jeff, though they did very well, of course. I mean we sang from inside the Male 1^st Class swimming pool – though there was no water in it this time. 

In the deep end - Males 1st Class

It’s especially good when you start off with Viva la Musica! What a fantastic echo. There’s another choir up there on the ceiling, isn’t there, surely? Cheek! Copying us …

Dunham Massey on the first evening of summer? 3 June 2015

Would it happen? Would it be too windy? Could enough of us get there? Or get there early enough? Would it be wet? Would we have on audience?  

We got there. Enough of us. On time. And the summer seemed to have come at last. The warm evening brought us an audience.  

On a fine summer evening in June the garden of Dunham Massey is one of the pleasantest places to be. Especially if you’re singing with a bunch of people you know well and with whom you’ve sung before. Especially if the birds join in – or were they competing? And especially if there are a group of really nice people who listen as they enjoy the gardens. 

Some of our lovely altos. A choir in a garden.