A new beginning for Yate Choral Society

YATE Choral Society gave their annual charity concert in St Mary’s Church on May 13.

However, this was not a normal concert, as it was the first public performance for the choir since the unexpected death of their conductor of 50 years, Geoff Wickham.

One of our own very talented members, Carol Cook, stepped up into the role of conductor and musical guide for the choir, and brought us up to the high standard that was seen in this concert.

The concert, A Spring Serenade, started in our traditional way of singing choral pieces, such as a chorus from Handel’s Messiah, and Come Gentle Spring by Haydn.

After a few more of the lighter classical pieces, we moved onto two spiritual pieces, Steal Away to Jesus and Swing Low Sweet Chariot woven together, followed by pieces from the musicals and culminating in Morecambe and Wise’s Bring me Sunshine.

This programme was also interspersed with two sessions of brass band music from our guest performers, Oldland Brass, who gave us a rousing performance.

Not content with this wonderful selection of music, the programme also included a solo by Sian Walters, singing Handel’s Where Ere You Walk and one from Carol herself, an amusing piece from the musical Kiss Me Kate, called I Hate Men.

The concert also included a monologue, Albert and the Privy beautifully delivered with northern accent and comic timing by Jan Hazelby.

It was rounded off by two verses of the National Anthem, accompanied by the brass band, with the first verse sung in harmony by the choir and the audience joining in, having been given the words for both verses.

The concert was very well-received by our audience, who congratulated Carol for achieving great success after taking on such a difficult task and showered complements on the singing of the choir and the soloists.

The evening was seen as a wonderful display of music and singing and seemed to have been enjoyed by all who were there.

This year our charity, chosen by Geoff Wickham’s daughters, is Save the Children. There was a bucket collection during the concert and a total of £467 was collected - that, along with the profit from the concert, means that we can present Save the Children with £847.

Chipping Sodbury WI

WHAT a sensational day May 6 was, despite the weather not being the best.

The King may have held a Coronation concert but our WI had a wonderful afternoon tea, with plenty of delicious food, a quiz and Union Jacks fluttering.

Our small walking group went to Ridge Woods, then followed the River Frome to Sodbury. Unfortunately, phone communication went slightly awry, with The Squire and Esquires venue getting confused, but the gentle walk and refreshment was enjoyed by those who made it.

The WI is supporting the Great Big Green Week, a celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature, on June 10 to 18, and will arrange a litter pick. This carries on from a very interesting talk in April from a local ecologist on the very same subject - every little thing we do can help to make a difference.

Our skittles team played a friendly match against Hawkesbury Upton and won - a couple of ladies even knocked down all nine pins! The Avon Federation will hold its annual WI quiz at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, a fiercelycontested event - we have two teams entered.

Apart from our regular meeting in May, we also held a coffee morning.

Our June meeting on the 20th will be about Bristol Beacon: The Fall and Rise of the Colston Hall.

If you would like to join us, we meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 10am in the Masonic Hall, Hatters Lane. Parking is available: we would love to welcome you.

Call 07809 534 107 if you would like to find out more.

Sue Bird