It was lovely to have Holly with us again on Wednesday and I think we would all agree we had a really good, lively sing. “Juice-alem” was a particular success. For those of you who like a good wassail and who perhaps missed out on the fun at Enmore Green last weekend, can I recommend the Henstridge Wassail? This is taking place tonight starting at 6.30 outside the old shop at the top of Vale Street from where the jolly wassailers will process down to the old orchard. (A review of last year’s ceremony is attached - thanks Monica [alto])
This coming Sunday we are singing in the Town Hall for the Westminster Hospital Memorial Service. We will sing two or three songs selected from I am a River, Hold On, Alleluia, This is Home and Go Placidly. Can we meet at St Peter’s ready for a quick run-through just before 2.30 please? The service starts at 3.00 and the organisers would like us there by 2.45. Usual dress code – shades of red above the waist, dark or black beneath. Apparently the hospital has won an award for its bereavement services and so we have been asked if they could take a picture of us so they can add it to their gallery to show what they do when they receive the prize. Super smart everyone please!
This coming week we will have a look at Green Man (held over from last time) and continue our work on You are the sunshine of my life along with We’ve got all the love, Let’s call the whole thing off, Wade in the Water, Robin Adair and Soalle. Words attached where necessary. (Green Man as attached last week.)
COMING CHOIR EVENTS
Sunday 18 January Westminster Hospital Memorial Service Town Hall. Meet at St Peter’s just before 2.30.
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
Tues 20 – Sun 25 January Shaftesbury Festival of Baroque. See attached flyer for full details. There are twelve events in all!
Various Friday afternoon from January – June “Name This Tune” St Martin’s House, Gillingham. See earlier flyer.
Friday 23 January To Drive the Cold Winter Away – a seasonal entertainment presented by the Stour Vale Singers and friends. 6.00. Buckhorn Weston Village Hall. FREE. Tickets from Sue (alto). See attached flyer.
also
Words Underground – Richard F (tenor) and friends. King Alfred’s Kitchen. See attached flyer.
AN INVITATION FROM HOLLY
Our charity Mindful have been approached by Riversmeet to collaborate in providing a chair based exercise class for people with Dementia in Gillingham and the surrounding areas. Groups would be a maximum of 10 and the class would run for 6 weeks around springtime/early summer. We anticipate sessions would be 60 to 90 minutes with 50/50 exercise and a social in the cafe downstairs. Days in the mix are Thursdays 12:30 or Fridays at 11/11:30 or 12:30. We would require four volunteers to assist with the class to make it safe and possible to run. We’d also love to know that there is enough interest to fill the class. So if you know anyone who may benefit from this potential course, or you could spare a couple of hours per week to help out please get in touch with me via email: h.morgan@rutterslaw.co.uk. If you’d like to know more about what Mindful do, speak to myself or Mike (BASS), or visit our website https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mindfulmemorycafes.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C563f15b24f7f400b9fcd08de553f81df%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639041928397873556%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6g4rD2dd1F1n3vRnsQxhXkeIIYVNVxCGrVtqPQsKxnk%3D&reserved=0
Happy singing
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
17 January 2026