Although numbers were rather fewer than we had expected, our singing for Tony’s concert last weekend was excellent. In fact, given the size of the audience, we were probably the right sized group; it was good to pay tribute to a pretty remarkable man. I am attaching a couple of photos – thankyou Estrella (alto). We have several more public performances in the coming weeks and a couple quite early in the new year including one at the Exchange, Sturminster Newton in early January. Do make a note of these in your diary. Those of you singing at St Denis Lodge next week, please read the note from Jackie (tenor) at the very end of this newsletter.
We already have quite a number of songs and carols in our Christmas repertoire . Next week we should complete the Ukrainian Bell Carol and No Small Wonder, have a look at the next section of Christmas is Coming, refresh our memories of First Nowell, See Amid, Carol of Adoration, While Shepherds, Ding Dong, Silent Night, Hosanna, Joy to the World and In the Bleak. Whew! Most of these are in the Bethlehem Carol Sheet and our choir carol booklets while the words of the others have been attached in the last couple of weeks.
COMING CHOIR EVENTS -
2024
Sunday 8 December Carol singing at the Shaftesbury Christmas market. 11.30 am for about thirty minutes or so. We will congregate by the Christmas tree near King Alfred’s Tea Room at about 11.15. Collection for DEC
Tuesday 10 December Singing carols and Christmas songs at St Denis Lodge. 2.30 p.m. Antlers optional. (See note from Jackie at the bottom of the newsletter)
Wednesday 11 December Open rehearsal – invite your friends, maybe do a party piece etc. Festive refreshments. Details anon.
Thursday 19 December Market Day Carol Singing followed by seasonal refreshments at the Arts Centre. Late morning, times to be decided. Collection for DEC
2025
Sunday 12 January Concert in memory of Nick Crump. Afternoon. The Exchange, Sturminster Newton.
Sunday 2 February Westminster Hospital Remembrance Service and Celebration. Town Hall. Afternoon. More details later.
Wednesday 19 February Open rehearsal concentrating on Nature Songs as part of the Snowdrop Festival. Details anon.
Unspecified Thursday Singing for the Shaftesbury Thursday afternoon Dementia Friendly group
Saturday 27 September We have been asked by the organisers of Shaftesbury Carnival whether the choir be able to take part in the all-day entertainment. I have said provisionally yes so please make a note of the date in your next year’s diaries. Many thanks.
OTHER COMING EVENTS –
Friday 6 December Hope, Light and Love – An Advent Journey. St Peter’s Church. 6.30 p.m. Lovely seasonal music, wine and mince pies. See attached flyer.
Fri 6 – Sun 8 December Garden of Delights at Springhead. This popular Christmas fair showcases handmade and unique gifts designed and created by talented local artists and crafts people, including jewellery, ceramics, textiles, garden ornaments, cards, glassware and prints. 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Entry is Free. Cash and cheque preferred: not all artists are able to take card payments. See attached flyer
Sunday 8 December ‘Tis Christmas Time. Pilgrim Singers featuring soloist Marta Fontanals-Simmons, fresh from the Proms and Covent Garden. Wincanton 7.00 p.m. See last week’s flyer.
Saturday 14 December A Winter’s Night - Gillingham Singers Christmas Concert, Milton on Stour 6.30 p.m. See last week’s flyer.
Sunday 15 December Wincanton Choral Society Christmas Concert. See earlier flyer.
Tuesday 17 December Gillingham Arts Workshop – Drive the Cold Winter Away. Carols and readings. Gillingham Library 5.00 p.m. See last week’s flyer.
Thursday 19 December Handel's Messiah 6.00p.m. ST MARY'S CHURCH, Bruton, BA10 0EB A rare intimate chamber performance of Handel’s great work. Tickets £12.50, booking fee applies, children free (no ticket required). Refreshments available beforehand. Tickets purchased here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/bruton/st-marys-church/handels-messiah/2024-12-19/18:00/t-moayrye or on the door (£15). Retiring collection for St Mary's Church.
YOGA
Annie (soprano) is offering mixed ability Yoga classes in Shaftesbury on Thursdays. See earlier flyer for full details.
PAYMENT BY BACS
If any choir members would prefer to pay their subs online, our bank details are:
Shaftesbury Community Choir
Account no. 23158960 Sort code: 30-65-21
Payments can be made for individual sessions or block payments of several weeks but payments should be made before the session and please indicate the date of session/s paid for.
David
30 November 2024
Travel advice for those choir members singing at St Denis.
St Denis is situated by the junction of the A30 and the C13 on the outskirts of Shaftesbury. This junction has recently been altered for safety reasons.
Instructions for approaching from the west:
From the Royal Chase Roundabout, you could take the exit directly into the Half Moon, park there and walk along the pavement till you reach St Denis.
OR
take the exit on to the A30 (direction Salisbury/Ludwell. Stay in the right hand lane. There are breaks in the central reservation. Ignore the first one that leads to a bungalow on the opposite side of the road. Turn right across the next break, which is immediately before the
new junction. Cross the carriageway straight into St Denis. If you miss that one turn right at the new junction, taking the route marked "Town centre". Turn left immediately into St Denis.
Approaching from the east:
After the second set of traffic lights keep to the right, following
"Town centre" sign. Turn immediately left into St Denis.
