2011

Lowestoft, Suffolk August 2nd - 7th

The Choir returned to Suffolk after a two year gap. Because we had enjoyed Framlingham College so much as a base for the 2009 tour, we decided to return there. However, the plans did not work out, but as the three concerts had been fixed, we decided to go ahead and stayed at the Hatfield Hotel, Lowestoft which turned out to be an excellent choice. In addition to the usual leisure pursuits during the week, a day trip in self drive launches on the River Waveney from Beccles proved to be very popular.

Singing a lunchtime concert in the Lady Chapel at Ely Cathedral was a wonderful experience for the Choir - possibly the best acoustic we have encountered in the four years of our existence. The audience size was a little disappointing at Christ Church, Bury St. Edmunds, but the Choir sang well, both there and the next evening at St. Michael’s, Framlingham. All three concerts were enriched with accompaniment - and their own items - provided by Patrick Bartlett (a choir member) and Lucy Bunce on their harps. At the request of Rev. Graham Owen, the choir contributed to the morning worship at Framlingham on the Sunday morning before we headed home.

Our post tour concerts at Trinity Baptist Church, Bexleyheath and St. John’s, Meopham were both well supported and the choir gave fine performances at both of them. The interior of St. John’s had recently been refurbished and we were privileged to be the first of a number of events to celebrate this.

A CD of the all the tour music is available for purchase on the website.

2010

North Wales, August 22nd - 27th

Although much of our time was spent in North Wales, we were based at Moreton Hall Independent School in Shropshire, just over the border from Llangollen.

We performed three concerts - at The Metropolitan RC Cathedral Liverpool, St Peter’s Collegiate Church, Ruthin, Denbighshire and St Peter’s Church, Myddle in Shropshire. We knew the Cathedral would be a challenge because of the reverberation, but the Choir performed admirably - particularly in Poulenc’s ‘Gloria’.

They gave splendid performances at the other two venues - Ruthin having a perfect acoustic with a superb Willis organ to accompany us, which Ben Saul mastered incredibly well. We were warmly welcomed at our final concert at Myddle, in Shropshire where we had a large and appreciative audience.

All but a handful of the Choir conquered Snowdon during the week and other activities included Whitewater Rafting, Karting and Ten Pin Bowling. We had time also to explore the wonderful city of Chester.

For our post tour concerts at Blackheath and Meopham in early September, the churches were near to capacity with enthusiastic audiences. Despite not having a few key members available, the choir performed superbly well at both venues.

2009

Framlingham, Suffolk August 17th - 22nd

Framlingham College was our base for the 2009 tour of Suffolk and an ideal choice it turned out to be. For most of the week we were the only group using the well appointed premises and had the run of the place to ourselves. The accommodation and food at the College were superb and the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. We were able to utilise the swimming pool, the squash and tennis courts and even played cricket under floodlights deep into the night! As well as relaxing and enjoying the facilities at the College, members of the Choir enjoyed further leisure time at Woodbridge, Yarmouth and the towns where we held concerts. They also did some Karting, Ten Pin Bowling and walking.

The three concerts went extremely well at Bury St. Edmunds Cathedral, Aldeburgh and Southwold, with decent sized and appreciative audiences, especially at Southwold where the nave of the large church was full. The main work we performed was Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ and we are indebted to Victor Scott who accompanied us on the organ for this work at Bury and Southwold. We had to contend with a few difficulties at Bury due to the renovation work, but we managed to overcome these. We are also grateful to those people in Suffolk who helped us put on the concerts, particularly Jayne Whiteman, Joan Goldsmith and David Briggs.

Our post tour concerts at Erith and Meopham were also well supported, particularly at Meopham, where the church was full, and where the performance of the Gloria was enhanced by the Bexley Phoenix Orchestra.

2008

Much Wenlock, Shropshire August 26th - 31st

The Choir undertook its first tour to Shropshire in August, 2008, staying at the delightful Wilderhope Manor Youth Hostel on Wenlock Edge. The venue was ideal, particularly as we had the sole use of the hostel. In addition to the usual fun activities such as Ten Pin Bowling and Ice Skating, members enjoyed a climb up The Long Mynd above Church Stretton - the Victorian’s ‘Little Switzerland.’