Poem: Mixing Bowl

It wasn’t the finest bone china

Or gold plated, to be handled with care

Not silver, with monogrammed lettering

Our bowl was just plain earthenware

A distinctive light brown on the outside

With a pattern embossed you could feel

Cool creamy white was its inner

A magic bowl that made treats or a meal

A huge great big thing and quite heavy

When tapped, a rich sound it would make

Years of aromas of secret ingredients

Home baked pastry, or biscuits or cake

We’d be wondrously watching and waiting

Knowing that sometime quite soon

An angel adorned in her apron

Would let one of us lick clean the spoon

By Carol Brewer www.pencilpoised.com Facebook.com/pencilpoised

So, what is barbershop singing?

• A form of a cappella singing, which means unaccompanied by instruments

• Songs are split into four vocal parts – a melody and three harmony parts

• The four parts closely harmonise creating beautiful chords

• A barbershop chorus has multiple people singing each part

• A variety of genres can be sung in the style including pop and rock

• Sometimes you can hear magical additional notes nobody is actually singing

How can you celebrate National Barbershop Quartet Day? Here are a few ideas:

• Listen to ‘Evolution of Song’ by The Great British Barbershop Boys. This absolute gem can be seen on YouTube and could quite possibly kick-start your new-found love for barbershop.

• Book an appointment at a barbers and ask for a haircut and a song. You never know, they might oblige…

• Play some barbershop and have a good ol’ fashioned sing along.

• Join a local barbershop chorus – did you know there’s a barbershop chorus based right here in Belper called Ignite UK? Of course there is! Whatever your interest, there’s bound to be like-minded folk in Belper!

By Jessica White

The Duffield Dressmaker ALTERATIONS & REPAIRS

Over 40 years’ experience, offering a comprehensive range of clothing alterations and repairs.

From simply mending beloved but damaged garments, shortening of sleeves and trousers, to restyling, resizing and refitting. This includes outfits for special occasions and creation of new garments.

Please call Sandra 07554 193352