Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The fourth Annual Oxford Sacred Harp Singing was held on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in June. Chairman Edwin Macadam called the class to order at 10:00 a.m. leading song on page 287. Alan Weeks offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Sheila Girling Smith 535; Bernard Collard 32t; Rachel Jordan 66; Judy Whiting 171; Alan Weeks and Lin Cawthorne 34b; Steve Fletcher 48t; Mick Verrier 201; Ros Clements 510; Claire Singleton 40; Ian West 30t; Arwen Lockley 335; Margaret Gillanders 49t; Ruth Cooper 441; Jon Price 454; Phil Tyler 40; Mandy Townsend 318.

RECESS

Ken Baddley called the class back to order leading song on page 481. Leaders: Adrian Bolge 147 (t? b?); Paul Setford 448t; Sheila Girling Smith 142; Bernard Collard 34t; Edwin Macadam 538; Rachel Jordan 155 (for her son, Dafydd Charles); Judy Whiting 222; Alan Weeks 228; Emily Verrier and her father, Mick 146; Steve Fletcher 38b; Ros Clements 50b; Mick Verrier 272; Claire Singleton 86; Ian West 480; Arwen Lockley 47t; Margaret Gillanders 515; Ruth Cooper 273; Jon Price 49b; Phil Tyler 101t; Mandy Townsend 106; Ken Baddley 350 (for Claire Singleton, about to move from England to New Mexico); Adrian Bolge 452b; Paul Setford 497; Bernard Collard 63; Rachel Jordan 269; Sally Jones and Mick Verrier 122; Alan Weeks 84; Edwin Macadam and Sheila Girling Smith “Shelwin Grace” (composed by Christopher Gardner).

LUNCH

At the end of the lunch break, the class was taught a new song, “New England”, by the composer, Mick Verrier.

The afternoon session resumed with Edwin Macadam leading song on page 150. Leaders: Judy Whiting 523b; Rachel Jordan 503; Steve Fletcher 36b.

Ken Baddley conducted the memorial lesson, recalling the words of Tom Mitchell, posted after his near-fatal heart attack a month earlier, and reminding us that life is not a rehearsal. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.” Ken Baddley read the list of names of the deceased and led song on page 163b. Those remembered: Tony Rose, Tony Jenner, Barbara Griggs, Winston Renford Smith, Ralph Lynn, Dudley Moore, Nesrin Boyson, Kenneth Annable, Christopher Turner, Joan Gillanders, Ray Stride, Vera Richardson, Leslie Greaves, and Marilyn Hood (Florida).

The sick and housebound were recalled by Bernard Collard, who exhorted us to be true to ourselves and to God. Those remembered were: Richard DeLong, Gordon Ashman, Roy Bryan, Sue Gould, Helen Bray, Leon Treloar, Liz Rowe, Win Tyler, Tom Mitchell, Mary Collins, Tom Mattock, and Helen Brown. Sheila Girling Smith led song on page 68b. The memorial was closed.

Leaders: Ruth Cooper 178; Mandy Townsend 442; Jon Price 299; Ros Clements 143; Dave Green 31t; Claire Singleton 148; Ian West 312b.

RECESS

The afternoon session resumed with Mick Verrier leading song on page 107. Leaders: Bernard Collard 347; Arwen Lockley 288; Margaret Gillanders 99; Phil Tyler 348b; Ken Baddley 504; Adrian Bolge 370; Paul Setford 114; Sheila Girling Smith 37b; Edwin Macadam 236.

RECESS

Announcements were made and invitations extended to other Sacred Harp singing events around the country.

Leaders: Judy Whiting 546; Claire Singleton 294; Ruth Cooper 349; Steve Fletcher 277; Bernard Collard 474; Ken Baddley 27; Alan Weeks 291; Rachel Jordan 189.

In recognition of the class’s enjoyment of his composition, Mick Verrier was asked to lead “New England” again.

Edwin Macadam and Sheila Girling Smith thanked all those who had:

• Helped during the day;
• Everyone for coming; and
• For the continued support, not only of the annual singing day, but of the monthly Sacred Harp singing sessions held in their home, now in their fourth year.

Edwin Macadam and Sheila Girling Smith led song on page 198 as the closing song especially for Helen Brown, unable to be present through ill-health. Ken Baddley led the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Edwin Macadam; Secretary—Sheila Girling Smith.