Annual report 2014

Annual Report St Mary the Virgin, Richmond with St Michael & All Angels, Hudswell April 2014 CONTENTS Page

Report

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Rector Rector, PCC

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PCC, Church Wardens’ Church Wardens’

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Church Wardens’, Bell Tower Bell Tower, Christians Together in Richmond

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Communications Team, Deanery Synod Deanery Synod, Electoral Roll Officer, Friends of St Mary’s, Monday Morning Toddler Group

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Monday Morning Toddler Group, St Mary’s Church Choir, Mothers’ Union

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Mothers’ Union, Women’s Fellowship, Study Groups Study Groups, Treasurer (to be tabled at the APCM), Upbeat Orchestra and Anacrusis Choir

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RECTOR’S REPORT 2014 This year has been another interesting and challenging year in the life of our two communities, Richmond and Hudswell.

During the year your ministry team has continued to work together and the balance of experience, wisdom and energy has been a delight and I am so grateful to all the team. This year Gillian Lunn has started her training for the reader ministry and we look forward to her joining the ministry team. The links with the CofE Primary school and St Francis Xavier School continue to grow and it has been a pleasure to work closely with the staff of both schools. We take collective worship every Wednesday at the Primary school and it is a joy when the school community comes to St Mary’s for all their major services. At SFX Antony and I lead bi–weekly voluntary worship and bi -monthly year Eucharist services. We also help to lead the major services held in school. Members of the congregation are also involved in many ways in the life of both schools, including being school governors. It is important that the link is not just in word but in action and it is lovely to see so many members of the church involved in significant roles in school.

However, whilst all this is valuable and an opportunity to work in the wider church, I believe that parish ministry is about being involved in the community in God’s name and I have enjoyed becoming involved in many aspects. Being trustee of various local charities, including the YMCA and RCVS has helped me to understand the needs of the community in which we serve. As chaplain to the Richmond Town Mayor and leader of the Richmond District council, I have witnessed the amount of hard work and dedication many of our local councillors give for the benefit of our communities.

Ministry of our churches through Occasional Offices is as busy as ever.

In 2013 we had: Funerals 55 Weddings 16 Baptisms 30 Confirmation 9 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Worship in Richmond Our pattern of services has become established offering the opportunity for all ages and traditions to worship, from BCP to our Fun-Key church.

It is a joy to see so many people coming together on their journey of faith.

The development of a worship pattern which reaches out to the whole community is clearly a continuing challenge to us all. As I wrote last year, there are inevitably differences of approach, demands and working practices involved in such an outgoing parish church as St Mary’s. I thank you and encourage you all to give thanks to God for the way in which the Holy Spirit is enabling us to work together in his name. Let us remember, before we complain about “this, that or the other”, that we are all God’s disciples working for him, with love and grace - not competing but working together.

Worship is key in our church ministry and we are blessed with exceptional musical talent in our robed choir, led by Colin Hicks, and Anacrusis and Upbeat, led by Carol Gedye. Colin and Carol work tirelessly to maintain and develop our singers and instrumentalists.

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There are still many people for whom St Mary’s does not seem a source of spiritual nurture. In 2014 it is hoped to reform a Worship Team whose remit will be to look at the whole pattern of worship which is offered, making appropriate recommendations to the PCC. Worship in Hudswell This year has been increasingly difficult and during the year it was decided to open the parish church for major services only. In addition we launched Fun-Key in the Village Hall. The hope was that after an initial period of concentrated support by our FK team, people in Hudswell would take it forward – their service for their village. This has, sadly, not proved to be the case and despite initial offers of support, only one family has been able to consistently come to the service.

Following Dave Wilkinson’s resignation as churchwarden, after many years of wonderful service to the church, to date, no-one from Hudswell has offered to stand as churchwarden or indeed be part of a team to look after the day to day needs of the church. The future of St Michael & all Angels will have to be discussed and prayed through as we try to discern the best way forward.

I would like to thank Julia Robertson for her efforts to help with the heavy administrative and financial burden of such a busy group. Claire Murray has taken on the role of parish administrator and assistant treasurer and we thank her for her hard work in already tightening things up.

The Churchwardens and Treasurer once again enabled the ministry in our two communities to function and I would like to personally thank them for their hard work.

Finally my thanks to my colleague and friend Rev Antony. We have been blessed by his growing ministry and we pray for him and Debbie as he discerns the next move in his ministry.

I finish my report as I always do, because I feel it is so relevant today. God has blessed us with the gift of so many talents and skills and it really is exciting to look to the future, to discern his will for us and his church. Let us use those gifts to reach out to the community in his name.

John Chambers RECTOR

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT A finance team was appointed to assist the Treasurer with day-to-day tasks.

Claire Murray took over from Julia Robertson as Parish administrator.

Research was undertaken into chancel repair liability, but no properties were found to incur it.

Residents in the Richmond care homes and sheltered accommodation complexes, and patients in the Friary Hospital, were all visited regularly with Holy Communion; bereaved families were visited regularly after the funeral.

An informal bereavement support group in the form of a coffee meeting was inaugurated.

Claire Murray and Julia Robertson attended a Mission Shaped Ministry Course, which 3

aims to support those leading a Fresh Expression of Church.

Gillian Lunn has begun training to be a Reader.

The Fun-Key Church service in Richmond was continued after the previous successful year.

Bi-monthly services in Hudswell Church were discontinued, but Christmas, Mothering Sunday, Easter and Harvest are to be observed, and baptisms, weddings and funerals take place there.

After consultation with the villagers, the Fun-Key Church service in Hudswell was discontinued in favour of a service of All-Age Worship in the village hall.

A much-appreciated exhibition of knitted Bible character tableaux was held, raising £600.

A thanksgiving service took place on the anniversary of the stewardship campaign.

Andy Macey’s generous contribution in time and effort to the appearance of the churchyard was recognized by presenting him with a token of St Mary’s gratitude.

Representations were made to the Richmondshire District Council for an extended period of parking on Sunday mornings at the Station Road car park, but received a negative response.

A more powerful loop system for digital hearing aids, and a new lapel microphone, were installed, funded by grants from the Town Council and the Friends of St Mary’s.

A votive candle stand was obtained as the focus of a prayer area in church.

Additional kneelers were provided for the altar rails.

Repairs were completed to the choir screen friezes.

New ramps were obtained for access to the building for the disabled.

The Diocesan Advisory Committee approved the submitted plans for toilet facilities for the disabled and for a baby-change facility.

A fund-raising drive for the toilet facility was inaugurated.

An exceptional number of services and events took place in church over the Christmas period, welcoming into the building many local people who normally never attend church.

The two-tier wooden framework supporting the bells needs reassessment since it is 118 years old, and the bells urgently require turning to prevent cracking of the metal.

A project timescale is being explored by the bell ringers.

Planning is continuing for: A head verger being sought to lead a vergers’ team The Carr family’s wish to commemorate Katherine Carr’s long involvement with St Mary’s Jennifer Patrick PCC Secretary

CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT Greetings from the Churchwarden team - Wardens Roy Morel and David Frankton, assistant wardens Janet Morel and Judith McLeod.

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St Mary’s comes into its own when Richmond uses its parish church. This was particularly true at Christmas when we had a record breaking month of carol services, concerts, weddings and other events.

During this time we met to say a fond farewell to John Blenkiron. John’s many interests and connections were represented by the several hundred people shoehorned into St Mary’s. John served on several occasions as Churchwarden of St Mary’s and at St Michaels building up an encyclopedic fund of information which he was always ready to share. This included initiating yours truly into the gentle art of bow-tie tying. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

The increasing use of the church for community activities continues to give the general public the opportunity to use the building and its facilities. This is not without its problems and challenges. Matching the expectations and demands of users and coping with the logistics of staging, seating and catering can be difficult. Turning the building from a concert hall on Saturday evening back into a church again for services on Sunday morning can be hard work. Thank you to all who have helped to make this possible during the past year. It’s certainly appreciated by all concerned.

Giving full access to the building and its facilities by everyone is taken very seriously. This has developed with the plans for the disabled access toilet scheme. Thank you to John Dickinson and his team for setting up this project. Plans have been drawn up, faculties granted and the task of fundraising has begun.

We are moving forward in the appointment of a head verger. The post has been advertised and interviews are about to take place. The first task of the newly appointed person it to recruit and train the members of the vergers team. Ideally we want to ensure that there is a verger on duty at all main services and events in St Mary’s. They have an important role to play in the front of house organization. These volunteers must come from within our congregation. If you feel you can help please speak to the head verger, churchwardens or the Rector. We need your help, please don’t simply rely on others.

Roy and Janet have survived their first year on the team. Thank you for all the time you spend, especially dealing with matters when I’m at work. Recently Judith has joined the members of the choir and has reluctantly decided not to stand for re election at the annual meeting. Thank you for all your hard work, and good luck in the choir stalls.

In May I had an operation which left me with my right arm in a sling for several weeks and a total of three months away from work. Thank you to everyone who helped. Your prayers and practical help and encouragement were very much appreciated. I’m pleased to report that I’m now fully recovered.

We look forward with confidence to next year with its opportunities and challenges.

David Frankton Churchwarden

ESTATES REPORT It’s been another year of continued repairs and maintenance.

The sound system has been improved and adapted to allow extra equipment to be connected especially during the monthly Fun-Key church meetings. The hearing aid loop has been updated to cope with the requirements of digital hearing aid users. A special thank you to Roy Morel for organizing the work and to Joy Hornsby who patiently tested every pew to ensure that the system is working fully.

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The heating system has received attention from our engineers and is now working fully after a delay waiting for spare parts. The three boilers, installed seven years ago, have now officially been christened Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

Repairs to the fretwork above the Easby choir stalls are now completed after careful restoration by a local carpenter. This has greatly improved the appearance of this historic part of the church.

Maintenance of the churchyard is the responsibility of the Town Council. Assisted by Richmond Pride and a visit from the Ghurkhas they continue to work hard to improve the appearance of the area. We are very grateful to all concerned.

Planned work for next year include the installation of gates at the top of the steps into the Green Howards’ Chapel and improving the lighting around the choir stalls and the high altar. The recent boiler service highlighted the need for a full inspection of the gas meter and pipe work much of which is hidden. This will require the removal of a section of floor around the meter at the back of the building.

Outside, the Town Council are planning the removal of a dangerous tree in the Churchyard and urgent repairs to the retaining wall at the end of Church Wynd.

Since its formation the Estates Team has developed several very successful new projects. However, the responsibility for some aspects of ongoing maintenance seem to be unclear. It would be useful to establish areas of responsibility for a planned maintenance system.

David Frankton Churchwarden

BELL TOWER REPORT We have had a number of changes in the belfry over the last year and we have managed to maintain our tradition of Sunday morning ringing. We continue to maintain our busy teaching schedule, with our newest recruits Ollie, Alastair, James and Andrew joining our more experienced band. Many thanks go to Keith for his hard work in making the silencers for the bells that have enabled us to teach the boys. This year we have also welcomed Michael, who is now ringing for services, and Tim P, who learnt to ring before he moved into the area but has rung his first quarter peal with us.

Tim H has left us to go to university, and we are privileged to have supplied, in Tim, a ringer for St Paul's Cathedral.

We continue to practice on Tuesday nights and 3 of our ringers have been trained using the new national programme for teaching ringing, the ITTS. Sue M has rung a first quarter peal and a number of our other ringers have completed their own 'firsts'.

We continue to be active in ringing in the local area, as Susan has taken over as branch chair, and for a while our tower hosted the rather impressive Yorkshire Association cup, won by a branch team including 3 Richmond ringers. Glenys continues to be an active social secretary. This year's events have included a traditional ringing trip to the Lancashire border and a (less traditional!) film and snooker night.

In addition to our usual activities, we began last year to investigate the condition of the bells and the bell frame. As a result of this we have begun planning a bell project which involves replacing our over 100 years old bell-frame with one that is safer and easier to maintain. Representatives of the ringers have met with the PCC to begin to plan a way forward and we are excited by the prospect of a new ring of 8 bells, with 6

better sound proofing, to protect local residents, and an electronic clock and chiming system. We are also considering what we can do with our oldest bells, one of which is 500 years old and four of which are from the 17th and 18th centuries, and all of which have been as well tuned as is possible. A group of ringers has begun meeting to plan the way forward.

All this has made 2013 an exciting year to be in the bell tower, with 2014 promising to be more of the same. My thanks go to everyone who supports the tower, whether by ringing or in other ways, particularly to Peter who continues as an able and enthusiastic steeple keeper and flag raiser!

Susan Welch Tower Captain

CHRISTIANS TOGETHER IN RICHMOND REPORT John Chambers chaired the group through the year with John Dickinson as Secretary and Roy Bebbington as Treasurer. Rev Keith Bamford departed for a chapel in Derbyshire and was warmly thanked for his contribution.

Lent 2013. A course on ‘Vocation’ was followed in the Lent Study Groups. Daily prayers took place in Holy Trinity in Holy Week with 7-8 people attending per day. The Walk of Witness on Good Friday was well attended and included a street drama “Voices from the Crowd” in the Market Square, which attracted an appreciative audience.22 Food Store. CTIR supported the Influence Church in collecting and distributing food to those in need. Food items were collected and contributed from the various churches without any attempt to ‘compete’.

Poverty in Richmond. Throughout the year there were discussions on this, including a presentation by Cllr Stuart Parsons. Members have been surprised at the extent of poverty locally. There was also a presentation on “Safe and Sound Homes” by Sarah Ware. This highlighted the problem of homelessness and plans are in place for a “Sleepout” at St Mary’s to draw further attention to this.

Christian Aid Week. A total of £3527.19 was collected.

Picnic Lunch. Another successful Picnic Lunch was held on 7 July.

Street Chaplaincy. There were presentations on this from a couple from the Garrison, but further action was not taken after their departure for Scotland. A contact list of people interested in this in our area is available with the Secretary.

Alpha Course. There was no course in September because of Keith Hall’s illness, but a course was begun on 15 Jan 2014. Though with strong backing from CTIR, the course is being run by the King’s Church.

Holy Trinity Church. The meetings at Holy Trinity were curtailed by the renovation works taking place in the building. This meant there were no ‘First Thursday Prayers’ in the New Year, there was no programme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Holy Week prayers will not be held at HT. Because of structures in the Curtilage, there will not be a street drama this year, though it may well be a feature in the future.

Keswick Convention. There is a plan to arrange a bus for a joint visit to the Convention on 16 July 2014.

John Dickinson Secretary

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COMMUNICATIONS TEAM REPORT We remember with gratitude, John Blenkiron, a long-standing and greatly valued member of the Team, who died earlier this year.

The following activities have taken place: In the previous 12 months the full Communication Team met twice. A sub-group was set up and has met twice to consider a number of website development.

Details of Sunday services are published each week in the Darlington & Stockton Times and special events are printed in the monthly What’s On in Richmond. The monthly entries for the national website, A Church Near You continue as usual; uploading items has been problematic for several months but is now resolved.

Special events, e.g. exhibitions and concerts, inter-denominational services and agape, study-groups, the Lent study programme, bellringing and embroiderers’ activities and the more recent Fun-Key Church activities are advertised on the parish website, the Richmond Online website, in the local tourist information office and in the local press.

The magazine team continues to involve a considerable number of the congregation in its various activities: compilation, printing, collating, distribution and advertising. About 400 magazines are printed for distribution every month to homes, care homes, churches, tourist accommodation, hotels, and libraries in the local community.

The Team is pleased to continue its association with the local printing firm, Richmond Print.

Special thanks go to four members of the team: to David Frankton for the major contribution he makes to the church’s ministry behind the scenes by printing in-house the monthly magazine, the weekly pew-sheets, notices and almost all the other printing for special church services and events; to Frank Gibbon for continuing the onerous and time-consuming task of organising magazine advertising; St Mary's parish website is a source of information for the congregation, the local community, and the wider public. It has links to Facebook, Twitter and other websites, is well used and includes: a brief history of our churches; interesting things to see in St Mary’s; details of services; facilities; events; resources; excellent photographs and a location map. For the last nine years the website has been hosted by Andrew Russell whose web design business, Moonburst is very well known.

Parish website address: www.richmondhudswellparish.org.uk The national website ‘A Church Near You ’ lists 217 churches in the Ripon & Leeds diocese including the four in our own benefice (St Mary’s, Richmond; St Michael & All Angels, Hudswell; St Michael & All Angels, Downholme; St Edmund’s, Marske).

Details of all weekly and occasional services in the four churches are given on the national website: A Church Near You website address: www.achurcyhnearyou.com Sheila Harrisson Chairman

DEANERY SYNOD REPORT Three meetings were held in Colburn Church Hall and one at St Francis Xavier School in 8

Richmond. The latter, which was addressed by acting Bishop of Pontefract Tony Robinson attracted a large number from local congregations. It was held to explain and answer questions about the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales which will be founded at Easter 2014..

The main topics discussed during the year, and votes taken when appropriate were: Women in the Episcopate; Proposals and progress regarding the configuration of a single Diocese to include the existing Diocese of Ripon & Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield; The Diocesan Council for Commission; Mission Resourcing Team & Rural Task Group, both providing assistance for parishes.

Sheila Harrisson Deanery Synod representative

ELECTORAL ROLL OFFICER REPORT Every few years the Roll is ‘scrapped’ and a new one prepared, and this happened in 2013. 169 people registered, which meant we ‘lost’ over 60 people, mostly people we see regularly just not filling in the form! We do accept updates throughout the year – much better than amending a newly printed one after the AGM. This includes changes of name/address/telephone and email. Forms are in the black box on the long table at the back of church, or just email me your amendments. susan.wallis@talktalk.net Susan Wallis Electoral Roll Officer

THE FRIENDS OF ST MARY’S REPORT During the year we have looked at the Constitution and the aims and objectives of the Friends of St Mary’s. Membership is open to all those who are on the Electoral Roll and by assisting with the general upkeep and maintenance of the church, its activities and services, we are seeking to bind together in common fellowship all those who love the Parish Church.

The Friends have been involved over the year with a summer concert by the Military WAGS Catterick, Muker Band, Welcome Christmas and the Cambrai Band concert. We are very grateful for their time, effort and entertainment and for the proceeds they so generously gave to the Friends.

Amongst other things their money has been used to provide cushions around the altar rail, flower pedestals, the Christingle service oranges, candles etc. and to upgrade the loop system.

We once again held a successful BBQ and Margaret Emmerson organised several interesting bus trips. We were able to support the Knitted Bible Exhibition and we have pledged to support the Disability Access Fund. As we said last year the committee is always looking for new members and new ideas so please speak to either Susan Wallis (Secretary) 518575 or Liz Chambers (Chair) 821241.

Liz Chambers Chairman

MONDAY MORNING TODDLER GROUP REPORT Gathering about 10am in the Methodist Church Halls we enjoy a time of fun and friendship for any children aged between 0 and 5 years old and their adult carer. Tea, coffee, juice, fruit and healthy snacks await and flow throughout, and even more important a warm welcome is guaranteed.

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Manned by an enthusiastic and loving team made up of ladies from both Richmond Methodist Church and St Mary’s Church, helpers include Joy Hornsby, Freda Dykes, Liz Chambers, Jennifer Patrick, Gillian, Margaret Andrews, Susan Scrafton and Edna Roberts. More helpers would be appreciated to help cover times when we all have the inevitable outside commitment or illness.

Free flow play with a variety of toys for a variety of ages is followed by singing, stories, action games and fun.

Numbers vary between 15 children and 25 depending on the weather and time of year, and special gatherings have included celebrating Christmas and Easter with seasonal parties, summer in the park and cake when it is children’s birthdays.

The time spent with each other, enjoying each other’s company, encouragement and the space to do it in such a friendly way is invaluable. We know the children gain lots, but so too the adults as they find people with similar concerns, joys and thoughts as each other.

Gillian Lunn

ST MARY'S PARISH CHURCH CHOIR REPORT 2013 was another interesting year during which we supported worship at St. Mary’s in all its various forms. The Choir is particularly strong at the moment with the Treble section probably as good as they have ever been. The commitment from all members of the choir continues to amaze me and the dedication, especially of the younger end of the choir, far surpasses that enjoyed by many organisations for young people both within and outside the church family.

The RSCM observation that choirs are often overlooked when work with young people of the church is discussed still mainly holds true, but there is an increasing realisation, if rather late in the day, that the Junior Choir fulfils a very important role socially as well as musically and will most definitely have nurtured members who will be lifelong churchgoers.

Fashions come and go, but the tradition of Evensong stands firm. With 600 years worth of music to choose from, and a universal familiarity (does what it says on the tin, I believe the phrase is). This is always a highlight of our month and gives us, the musicians, a chance to play a full part in the worship through the medium of music. There are few churches in the area who are able to provide a Cathedral standard evensong on a monthly basis, as recognised by many of the RSCM external personnel. We are proud of this ability and use it to further the musical standards of all those involved.

I would like to recognise all those who assist me in maintaining the musical tradition of the choir and maintaining its high standards, you all know who you are, and thank you. I couldn’t do it without your support week in, week out.

We look forward to another year of music making and to continue to support the worship in whatever way will enrich the experience for all involved.

Colin Hicks Church Music Director

ST MARY’S MOTHERS’ UNION REPORT Mothers’ Union has had a good year, starting as ever with our annual party with entertainment by Dalesfolk.

We are very pleased to have welcomed new members and regular visitors to our 10

meetings. Topics have ranged from updates on the Buy Buy Childhood campaign and Jan Gracey’s work in Cambodia to Bee Keeping and Archery.

We also take our turn in saying the Midday Prayers at Ripon Cathedral and of course this is always followed by a lovely lunch at the Deanery!

We held our annual BBQ which raised £880 and gave donations to the Diocesan holiday home at Filey, Prayer Network and Overseas Mission. We fund the books given to children at their baptism and funded the prayer cubes that are given out on Sunday mornings for use during services. We also support the Make a Mothers Day and help transform lives campaign.

We have earmarked £250 to fund the baby change unit in the disabled access facilities, we have also held a raffle to support Sophie Overin in her forthcoming trip to the Amala children’s project in India.

Thanks must go to Liz Chambers our very able treasurer who keeps our finances in such good order and to Christine Stedman and Margaret Emmerson for their support on the committee.

Margaret Emmerson has been a member of MU for over 40 years and served as Enrolling Member, Branch Leader, Secretary and latterly on the committee. Margaret is now taking a well earned rest and standing down from the committee. We thank Margaret for all her hard work and dedication to Mothers Union and are pleased that she will still be attending meetings and can be called upon for advice.

We also thank our Rector, Rev John Chambers and Rev Antony for their unfailing support and membership of the Mothers Union.

Susan Scrafton

ST MARY’S WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP REPORT St Mary’s Richmond Women’s Fellowship continues to thrive. We moved to new larger premises with better facilities at the Town Hall where we settled in very happily. The past year has been interesting and varied with a rich variety of speakers. In keeping with our affiliation to St Mary’s we held our traditional service at Easter and the Carol Concert at Christmas.

Last July we were unable to make our annual visit to Marrick. However, we spent a very happy time in glorious sunshine at Eileen’s home in Richmond where we enjoyed the afternoon with tea and cakes in the garden.

We continue to be a happy, relaxed and caring group enjoying good friendship and fellowship together which culminates in our Annual Christmas Party. We welcomed two new members this year.

We meet at 2pm in the Town Hall on the 3rd Wednesday of every month excluding July and August. We are always pleased to welcome new friends and visitors.

Eileen Simms Convenor

STUDY GROUP REPORT Thursday Study Group The Group meets every Thursday throughout the year at 1 Roper Court, Richmond, at 7.30 pm.

This is a relaxed informal and lively group, where everyone is encouraged to contribute, but no one need speak if they would rather not. We learn from each other, from our reading of the Bible, our experiences of God, our doubts and our lives, and we find mutual support in our faith. We also laugh a lot!

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At the beginning of last year we discussed ‘Jesus Through Middle-Eastern Eyes’, by Kenneth E.Bailey, which opened our eyes to everyday life in the world of the New Testament, and especially clarified the parables and teaching of Jesus.

Later in 2013, and after the new year, we studied Meet the Holy Spirit and The Fruit of the Spirit, two selections of Bible readings taken from ‘Guidelines’, published by The Bible Reading Fellowship.

New members are always welcome.

Jennifer Patrick

TREASURER'S REPORT The Treasurer's Report will be available in St Mary's Church before the Annual Meeting.

UPBEAT ORCHESTRA AND ANACRUCIS REPORT The Upbeat Orchestra and Anacrusis Choir continue to lead the musical content of the All Age Worship services, which are usually on the third Sunday of each month. In addition, the Christingle and Crib services are highlights of the Advent and Christmas season, along with an annual Carol singing expedition around the town. We rehearse on the Friday evening immediately prior to the service, and several times a year follow this with a social event. These have included pizza parties, fish and chips and games on The Batts, BBQs and meals out in local restaurants.

Three of our really experienced players left Upbeat to go to University last summer, leaving a big hole. However following a recruitment drive we have a few new members, and we are enjoying watching them learn how to play in the orchestra. A couple of these players are above Grade 5 standard, the rest are around about the Grade 1 mark – we all have to start somewhere!

The Pre Grade 4 rehearsal for these players has been reinstated. It is a very happy and relaxed rehearsal, teaching the parts to be learnt and helping with the basics of music reading.

Anacrusis has also been joined by a few new singers who are enjoying the musicianship and friendship of the group.

We continue to take up a lot of space in church, the “Upbeat” corner and now four pews down the South Aisle too. It remains a cramped and cold area for so many to rehearse and then sing or play for the service, but there is a lot of good will in coping with the physical problems. We hope to improve this area over the next year or so.

I am very grateful for the support of so many people both in the musical groups, congregation and clergy. In particular I would like to thank Brett Overin for his excellent piano accompaniment of both ensembles, and Allan Guy for his deputy conductor services from time to time. Their musicianship and commitment is a great asset to these groups.

The strength of the Family Service/ All Age Worship seems to be that it attracts such a wide variety of individuals of different ages and different musical experiences to contribute to our worship in such a worthwhile and uplifting way.

If you would like more information about what we do, or would like to join us, do ask.

We are always pleased to have new members.

Carol Gedye Musical Director. ___________________________________

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