Wayns Weekly - 21st September
Get together on October 1st - Please Come and Sign Up as Indicated on the Members’ Front Page
Dear all,
As you know, we had to move our summer party in July in case we all melted, and have moved the date to October 1st. We’re doing this on a Thursday evening in place of a rehearsal for two reasons : we have plenty of time to polish the Bach, and it seems to be a good idea once in a while to get the choir together socially. We don’t often meet as a group outside rehearsals and it’s always nice to find out a bit more about the people we all sing with (and for the men, to see the sops and altos from the front). Fortunately, Oak House can accommodate the choir, even if it’s wet and dark in the garden. As those of you who have been before know, it’s about 10 minutes from St Swithuns, just past Alresford.
As mentioned in a previous WW, Sophie House is kindly co-ordinating responses and food. She has a fairly modest set of acceptances so far. I know some can’t make it, but could we possibly ask you all to respond one way or another so we have an approximate idea of numbers ?
Thanks
Daniel
2. 100 Club
This is our yearly prize draw very ably planned and executed by Peter Mosse. It costs £10 per entry. You can pay by cash, by card at a rehearsal or on line, the choice is yours. The more who enter, the better the prizes!
3. Turner Sims Concert Questionnaire:
As mentioned last week, a huge thanks to all those who filled in the short questionnaire after our wonderful concert in Turner Sims. We have produced a very short summary of the responses , together with some post-concert conclusions and recommendations for if we use Turner Sims in the future. These can be read here.
4. Post Christmas Oratorio Drinks Reception
The committee has discussed how we mark Andy’s leaving after nearly 25 years of service to the choir. We are conscious within the past two years the choir has done a large collection for Andy‘s wedding present (his all singing and dancing electronic piano) and contributed extremely generously towards that. Rather than ask for contribution towards another gift, we’d like to give Andy a rousing sendoff by holding a drinks reception in the Wessex hotel immediately after the Christmas Oratorio and would love as many as possible to buy a ticket to that party and help make it a really special occasion . The tickets will be available over the next few weeks from treasurer Kate Baker at £15 per head, including two drinks . Maximum 2 tickets pp. More to follow!
5. Choir Priority Ticket Booking
A reminder that choir priority booking is still open for concert tickets and all details can be found in WW of 26th August. Booking will open to the general public on Saturday 26th September, and physical flyers and posters will be available from Thursday’s rehearsal.
6. Roland Matthews is Walking for Ukraine on 27th September- Can you Sponsor Him?
I’ll be taking part in the annual Walk the Test Way charity event on Sunday 27 September, raising funds to buy Generators for Ukraine. I’m one of a team of 6 (3 Brits and 3 Ukrainians - and Barney the dog!) and we will be walking the 12 miles from Stockbridge to Romsey. If you’d like to support us we have a JustGiving page for online donations, where you'll find more information about the generators appeal: https://justgiving.com/team/generators-for-ukraine
I also have sponsorship sheets if you’d prefer to make a pledge, or I’ll be pleased to accept cash donations (I’ll be at the rehearsal next Thursday).
Thank you
Roland Matthews (B1)
7. Noel Martin
Noel died on 7th September, some of the longer standing choir members might remember him. He was a very reliable tenor and he also sang with Southern Voices and several ad hoc groups. He taught Chemistry for a long time at Peter Symonds College and retired to Oxford with his wife, Pauline, where he continued to sing in the voluntary choir that sang in the Cathedral when the Cathedral choir was on holiday.
There will be a natural burial for Noel to follow a humanist ceremony in the beautiful chapel of The North Oxfordshire Memorial Park, Tackley, Kidlington OX5 3ER on Friday 2 October at 11am. All are warmly welcome. There's a waiting room beside the car parking area for you to gather, you'll be advised when to make your way (a short walk) to the chapel. The service will be streamed for anyone who isn’t able to attend -
Website: https://watch.obitus.com
Username: jemi9424