Recent Activities
Christmas Singing
Our first carol outing this year was singing at three local care homes/sheltered housing. At Eastbourne House, some staff came out into the cold and there were residents watching from some of the windows.
Bygate Court is sheltered housing and quite a few people came out and joined in the familiar carols. There was even a bit of dancing to 'Praise the Holly'.
This year, for the first time, we were part of St Andrew's Carol Service - contributing five songs in two blocks as well as joining in with the rest of the service.
Next, we had our Christmas Sharing - a mixture of an informal concert and a Christmas sing-along for families and friends. The church was full!
Instead of an entrance fee, we asked people to bring items for the Bay Food Bank to boost their supplies for January. We were overwhelmed with how much turned up. This picture only shows about half of it. Thanks to all who brought stuff.
Innocent Bystanders sang beautifully and also gave the rest of us a break.
Singing in the stables at Seaton Delaval Hall has been part of our Christmas for several years (apart from last year, when it was closed because of high winds). There seem to be more people coming to listen every time.
We finished the year by singing on the seafront by Spanish City.
Wreath-making for Christmas
Lovely to see the results of making Christmas wreaths with natural materials. It looks like a lot of fun was had in the process, too.
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Seaton Delaval Hall 19th July
Singing in the stables
Summer weather abandoned us for this one. Luckily, we could fit into the stables and make a good sound for our audience.
Village Court 12th July
Singing and cream teas
The Clocktower garden was decked out beautifully for the cream teas and the weather was perfect.
The audience was ready and we had plenty of singers in the choir.
After singing, the cream teas were much in demand.
In the evening, there was singing from Innocent Bystanders and saxophone/clarinet music from Wayward Wind for all those who had bought tickets for our 'Pimms for Parkinsons' event.
Parkinson's sing-along (2)
We were happy to see more people coming along and singing, this time. There were still plenty of cakes!
Whitley Bay Carnival
Despite a cloudy start, we turned up at the sea front in good numbers. The weather stayed dry, but the wind was so strong that Gilly needed pegs to hold her music.
The carnival parade was colourful as usual and still making its way down Marine Avenue after we finished singing.
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Residential weekend in Harrogate
This was a weekend full of singing and laughter, in a large hotel very near to the centre of Harrogate.
On Saturday evening, there were many Miss Marples about, plus a few Poirots, a rather suspicious-looking maid and various other women in their finery. This was fortunate, as it transpired that murder had occurred!
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All the suspects looked distinctly shifty, but the sergeant kept them (and us) strictly in order.
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On Sunday, there was time to relax in the sunshine in between singing sessions.
Spring sharing - informal concert for families and friends
This featured a mixture of the songs we have been learning this term, along with some readings and more songs from Innocent Bystanders, all on the theme of 'Home'.
Parkinson's sing-along session
Foxhunter's Sports Pavilion provided a spacious and airy venue for this activity. Some people from our local Parkinson's group came along, though they were outnumbered by Whitley Women. The session started with tea and cake - thanks to several choir members who must have been busy baking. The songs were mostly familiar to everyone and great fun to sing. Gilly even got us doing the actions to 'YMCA'!
Newcastle Cathedral
We were one of a number of 'pop-up choirs' who sang in Newcastle on 22nd March. As you can see, there was a good turn-out and the singing worked pretty well (even though we don't have things like backing tracks, as some of the other choirs did). Our main challenge for improvement is not to look so worried!
