To the Manor Bound …
A choral adventure, 21st to 24th August, 2023
I’m not quite sure how long it is since I last posted on this page, but I do plan to share more of our choir’s doings in the future.
On a beautiful sunny Friday morning, 34 of us set out from Grovehill on our annual singing tour – this time to the West country. I’d been watching the forecast almost hourly up to our departure and it did not bode well for Somerset. After our lunch stop, the skies darkened, the rain began to fall and so it continued for most of the weekend.
We didn’t let that dampen our spirits which were helped by the plentiful supply of drinks and a fabulous supper when we arrived, cooked by our catering crew: Jenny, Kate, Margaret and Sue.
On Saturday, the business of the weekend began in earnest when we joined with the Minehead Male Voice Choir for two performances. We sang outdoors in Blenheim Gardens, in variable rain – from drizzle to stair rod – to a select but appreciative audience.
We met again in St. Andrew’s church that evening, in a concert in aid of the RNLI. Each choir performed a set and as a finale we joined together with gusto in ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, particularly the line ‘walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain…’
On Sunday morning, we gathered in St. George’s Church in Dunster to sing in their morning service. We were warmly welcomed by their vicar and a large congregation and treated to refreshments afterwards.
We must have done something to placate the Weather Elves because the skies brightened and we were able to enjoy the Knowle Manor gardens in glorious sunshine.
We ended the day in traditional fashion with a selection of songs, poems and dancing from our trippers. Many notable performances, some moving, some comic and some just amazing. Two which stood out were Debbie and Linda D, in Rossini’s Cat Duet and Audrey N’s superb dance.
But that wasn’t the end… a table-tennis tournament was proposed. After some close rounds it was won by Rufus, our Musical Director, and by far the youngest and fittest of us all, who just couldn’t quite quell his competitive spirit.
Another fun and joyous choir event over. We left with many invitations to ‘come back soon’.
A special thank you to Russell, Mason’s coach driver who not only got us there and back safely, but helped in so many ways over the weekend, moving furniture, coming to all our concerts and videoing our singing and generally being an all-round nice guy. We hope to see you again!
If you’re interested in joining a fabulous, fun and inclusive choir, with no auditions, check our website www.dacorumcommunitychoir.org or our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/dacorumcommunitychoir
