Recent 'Love Letter' from the musical director, and conductor, Jim Williams
2nd August, 2018
Dear Singers, Hon. Members and Friends.
You will I hope by now have noticed the longer introduction to this note. It is our intension to circulate this note not only to singing members of the society but also to supporters, honorary members and friends. I am also going to ask Lucy to place it in full on our website. I started our last news letter by saying that I was preparing to retire as Director of Music at Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood. I did in fact retire on Low Sunday, the week after Easter. I have to say that having free time does not come easily to me. I am however getting used to it I think. This year has been a difficult one for the choir. We miss a few singers and but we are also happy to see a few return to us after a break as well as a new member. We all hope that she is happy with us.
I am aware that some of our members have found our choice of charity for this year difficult to support. I would just like to take a moment to say the following. The decision to adopt Freedom 4 Girls was taken after all members of the choir were given the chance to vote from a possible four choices submitted for consideration by choir members. A vote was taken and the charity with most votes was adopted. I recently had a conversation with a couple of members regarding the choice of charity I said that due to the amount of bad feeling caused that perhaps a vote was not the way to decide the adoption of a charity and a better way may be for a small number of people to make the choice on behalf of the choir. I was reminded very quickly that the society was a democracy. I remind all members that a democracy means that you don't always get your own way.
I would like to thank Claire for organising our dinner at Antico. It was a super evening and was I think enjoyed by everyone present. I would also like to thank Lucy for her continuing work on our website. I was very disappointed by the result of the recruiting evening. To this end please see the proposal for the 'Come and Sing Carols' event later in the year.
This will be the last concert for this year's appeal. I have spoken to Linda Greenland this morning. She is very moved by our effort this year. When I spoke to Linda she told me that £2000 will buy 500 sanitary kits for teenage girls in Kenya. This project is making a difference to many girls. Figures are well up over the last two years on numbers of girls going on to higher education. As some of you will know The Royal British Legion are suffering in this area. They have asked if we can put a collecting tin out in the interval of this concert. This I have agreed to do. I was however concerned that this might dilute our main collection. On talking about this to some people from church, a loyal concert supporter has said they will make a donation to our main appeal to the value of amount donated to R.B.L.
Christmas Concerts.
Tuesday 4th. Dec. 7.30pm. Christmas Concert. St. Thomas a Becket, Pucklechurch.
Tuesday 11th. Dec. 7.30pm. Christmas Concert at Knowle Methodist Church.
Saturday 15th. Dec. 8.00pm. Christmas Carols at The Fishponds Club.
Sunday 16th. Dec. 4.00pm. Christmas Carols at Avon Lodge Care Home, Redfield.
Sunday 16th. Dec. 6.00pm. Carol Service at Bethesda Methodist Church, Redfield.
Tuesday 18th. Dec. 7.30pm. Christmas Concert at H.T.K.
A.G.M.
Tuesday 8th. Jan. 2019. 7.30pm. H.T.K.
PLEASE REMEMBER!
NO REHEARSAL TUESDAY 4TH. SEPTEMBER
All My Love.
Jim
You will I hope by now have noticed the longer introduction to this note. It is our intension to circulate this note not only to singing members of the society but also to supporters, honorary members and friends. I am also going to ask Lucy to place it in full on our website. I started our last news letter by saying that I was preparing to retire as Director of Music at Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood. I did in fact retire on Low Sunday, the week after Easter. I have to say that having free time does not come easily to me. I am however getting used to it I think. This year has been a difficult one for the choir. We miss a few singers and but we are also happy to see a few return to us after a break as well as a new member. We all hope that she is happy with us.
I am aware that some of our members have found our choice of charity for this year difficult to support. I would just like to take a moment to say the following. The decision to adopt Freedom 4 Girls was taken after all members of the choir were given the chance to vote from a possible four choices submitted for consideration by choir members. A vote was taken and the charity with most votes was adopted. I recently had a conversation with a couple of members regarding the choice of charity I said that due to the amount of bad feeling caused that perhaps a vote was not the way to decide the adoption of a charity and a better way may be for a small number of people to make the choice on behalf of the choir. I was reminded very quickly that the society was a democracy. I remind all members that a democracy means that you don't always get your own way.
I would like to thank Claire for organising our dinner at Antico. It was a super evening and was I think enjoyed by everyone present. I would also like to thank Lucy for her continuing work on our website. I was very disappointed by the result of the recruiting evening. To this end please see the proposal for the 'Come and Sing Carols' event later in the year.
This will be the last concert for this year's appeal. I have spoken to Linda Greenland this morning. She is very moved by our effort this year. When I spoke to Linda she told me that £2000 will buy 500 sanitary kits for teenage girls in Kenya. This project is making a difference to many girls. Figures are well up over the last two years on numbers of girls going on to higher education. As some of you will know The Royal British Legion are suffering in this area. They have asked if we can put a collecting tin out in the interval of this concert. This I have agreed to do. I was however concerned that this might dilute our main collection. On talking about this to some people from church, a loyal concert supporter has said they will make a donation to our main appeal to the value of amount donated to R.B.L.
Christmas Concerts.
Tuesday 4th. Dec. 7.30pm. Christmas Concert. St. Thomas a Becket, Pucklechurch.
Tuesday 11th. Dec. 7.30pm. Christmas Concert at Knowle Methodist Church.
Saturday 15th. Dec. 8.00pm. Christmas Carols at The Fishponds Club.
Sunday 16th. Dec. 4.00pm. Christmas Carols at Avon Lodge Care Home, Redfield.
Sunday 16th. Dec. 6.00pm. Carol Service at Bethesda Methodist Church, Redfield.
Tuesday 18th. Dec. 7.30pm. Christmas Concert at H.T.K.
A.G.M.
Tuesday 8th. Jan. 2019. 7.30pm. H.T.K.
PLEASE REMEMBER!
NO REHEARSAL TUESDAY 4TH. SEPTEMBER
All My Love.
Jim