What a great session we had on Wednesday. The perfect way to end a wonderful year of singing together. Thankyou to those of you who took part in the concert party for the Blind Association, and a huge thankyou to those of you who took part ALL THREE of our Christmas gigs. Some of you sang with other choirs as well. Amazing.
We are taking a break now until 7th January when we will be having our New Year Party. Our cunning planning means that it coincides with the Orthodox Church Christmas and the old Dorset festival of 13th Night. Consequently we will be singing our usual new year song (We Wish You Joy), and a couple of our carols while they are still in season – Holly and the Ivy and No Small Wonder. We will also sing We Three Kings as they only arrived the day before. There will be one or two more songs I am sure, but I have not yet got around to deciding what they might be.
Julia will be providing liquid refreshment but if you could all bring a plate of finger food to share that would be marvellous. We will be having some entertainment and possibly a quiz as well. Three or four people have come forward so far with an item; if you would like to do a turn please let me know asap. It’s much easier to put together a balanced programme if you know what the various turns are going to be.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A PRESENTATION TO JULIA FOR ALL HER HARD WORK IN KEEPING THE CHOIR RUNNING SMOOTHLY. IF YOU HAVE NOT YET CONTRIBUTED AND WOULD LIKE TO DO SO, PLEASE BRING YOUR DONATION NEXT TIME AND DISCREETLY GIVE IT TO KAREN. (I HAVE TEMPORARILY REMOVED JULIA’S NAME FROM THE MAILING LIST SO SHE WON’T GET THIS VERSION OF THE EMAIL!)
COMING CHOIR EVENTS
Wednesday 7 January Choir New Year Party, celebrating 13th Night (a forgotten west country festival) and the Orthodox Church’s Christmas Day.
Sunday 18 January Westminster Hospital Memorial Service Afternoon. (3.00 p.m?) Town H
Wednesday 11 March We welcome our guest leader Sarah Pennington
Sunday 29 March Short lunchtime ceremony to mark the opening of Shaftesbury Abbey.
OTHER COMING EVENTS
2025
If you are not completely carolled out and would like a good sing over the next few days, I am taking part in three village carol services where you would be VERY welcome
Thursday (today) 6.00 pm at St Mary’s , Compton Abbas
Sunday 3.00 at St John’s, Enmore Green
Sunday 6.30 at St Mary Magdalene, Fifehead Magdalene
I am also taking part in a service at Guy’s Marsh on Saturday but I’m afraid you would need a personal invitation from His Majesty for that one – sorry.
Richard (bass) is playing the piano at the Italian restaurant on Friday evening and would love to see some familiar faces among the diners I am sure.
2026
Various Friday afternoon from January – June “Name This Tune” St Martin’s House, Gillingham. See attached flyer.
Friday 23 January Soul Soundings. Singing workshop with Jane Harris (Rolling Harmony). Wells Cathedral and Chapter House. 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. Details at: www.tickettailor.com/events/songways/
also
To Drive the Cold Winter Away – a seasonal entertainment presented by the Stour Vale Singers. 6.00. Buckhorn Weston Village Hall. See attached flyer.
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.
On behalf of Karen, Julia, Tracey and myself, Can I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a very happy and musical new year.
David
18 December 2025