Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, April 23

The fourth East Midlands Sacred Harp Convention was called to order by Chairman Ian West leading 171. The opening prayer was offered by Jim Pfau.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Ian West; Vice Chairman—Helen Brown; House Manager—Ruth Steggles; Arranging Committee—David Richardson; Secretary—Margaret Gillanders; Treasurer—Ted Brown. Nominations were sought for officers for the 2006 Convention.

Leaders: Helen Brown 75; Ruth Steggles 68b; David Richardson 30t; Steve Fletcher 150; Jim Pfau 300; Carmel Wood 48t; Matt Wells 37b; Chris Brown 449 (CB); Denise Kania 478 (CB); Bernard Collard 362; Hannah Cooper 133; Steven Levine 164; Judy Whiting 575 (CB); Dave Townsend 434; Cathy Tucker 385b; David Moore 452; Cassie Franklin 220; Phil Tyler 332; Jill Thompson 497; Tom Tucker 480.

RECESS

David Richardson brought the class together with 56t. Leaders: Rosalind Oldham 54t (CB); Dennis George 278b; Mandy Townsend 383; Ken Baddley 27; Emily Creel 384; Cath Tyler 475; Ian West 411 (CB); Ian Fergusson 457; Helen Brown 430; Ruth Steggles 200; Jim Pfau 137 (CB); Steve Fletcher 77t; Carmel Wood 31t; Matt Wells 270; Hannah Cooper 454; Chris Brown 505 (CB); Denise Kania 98 (CB); Bernard Collard 63; Cathy Tucker 144; Dave Townsend 142; Cassie Franklin 440. Bernard Collard offered the blessing for the noon meal.

LUNCH

Ian West called the class back with 32t. Leaders: Judy Whiting 367 (CB); Steven Levine 117; Cath Tyler 367; Tom Tucker 192; Jill Thompson 504; Dennis George 318; Mandy Townsend 490; Ken Baddley 569b; Emily Creel 222; David Moore 236; Rosalind Oldham 563 (CB); Phil Tyler 488t; Ruth Steggles 198; Jim Pfau 498; Cathy Tucker 532; Dave Townsend 378b; Steve Fletcher 269; Tom Tucker 445.

RECESS

David Richardson recalled the class with 101t. Leaders: Hannah Cooper 209; Matt Wells 29t; Helen Brown 436; Bernard Collard 112; Denise Kania 203; Steven Levine 496; Cassie Franklin 89; Chris Brown 107t (CB); Cath Tyler 189; Dennis George 224; Jill Thompson 99; Ken Baddley 143; Judy Whiting 516 (CB); Emily Creel 76b; Phil Tyler 428; Mandy Townsend 82t; David Moore 299; Matt Wells 472; Cathy Tucker 34b; Tom Tucker 347.

Helen Brown and Ian West led 566 as the closing song. Gillian White offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, April 24

Ian West brought the class together by leading 52t. Ruth Steggles gave the opening prayer. Due to David Richardson’s indisposition, Cath Tyler took over the office of Arranging Committee.

Leaders: Helen Brown 276; Ruth Steggles 146; Margaret Gillanders 559 (CB); Bernard Collard 538; Denise Kania 140 (CB); Mick Verrier 106 (CB); Hannah Cooper 178; Jim Pfau 102; Vicki Elliott 47b; Dennis George 400; Steve Fletcher 196; Edwin Macadam 189; Emily Creel 40; Dave Townsend 551; Sheila Girling Macadam 142; Steven Levine 49b; Carmel Wood 163t; Chris Brown 573 (CB); Cassie Franklin 341.

RECESS

Cath Tyler called the class to order with 107. Leaders: Ken Baddley 114; Rosalind Oldham 299; Judy Whiting 38t (CB); Matt Wells 448t; Jill Thompson 473; Phil Tyler 442; Mandy Townsend 203; Margaret Gillanders 336t (CB).

Ken Baddley conducted the memorial lesson, remembering the following deceased: Mavis Price, Sherry Guthery, Ivalene Donaldson, and John Hocutt—Alabama; Elvera Lee—Georgia; Regina Kania and Ray Pfau—Minnesota; Ken Breckner—Missouri; Nancy Mullinex—Washington, D.C.; Tom Gibney—New Jersey; Christopher Walker, Mike Bickel, Cyril Tawney, and Edwin Mitchell—Aberdeen; John Birmingham and David Hollingsworth—Newcastle upon Tyne; Peter Whitehall—Derby; Sid Long and Annie Brown—Leicester; Philip Anderson, Gladys Reynolds, Eddie Thompson, David Aizlewood, Mark Tindle, Danny McRae, and Andy Leith—Nottingham; Frank Lawson—Wakefield. Cassie Franklin and Emily Creel led 348b in memory of all of the deceased, but especially Ivalene Donaldson and Mavis Price.

Matt Wells led 39t for the following sick and housebound: Alf Askin, Anne Ballard, Don Weishaar, Percy Brown, Joan Stocks, Vivienne Davinson, Mary Kellaway, Hazel Walker, Robin Creamer, James Oss, Mary Oss, Don O’Riordan, Hilary Tomlin, Janet Salway, Jean McDougall, David Richardson, Gladwys Carlin, and Ivy Moore. Bernard Collard closed the memorial with prayer.

Leaders: Helen Brown 556; Ian West 67; Mick Verrier 201. Helen Brown offered thanks for the midday meal.

LUNCH

Ruth Steggles called the class together with 155. Leaders: Denise Kania 36b; Hannah Cooper 302; Edwin Macadam 236; Vicki Elliot 209; Bernard Collard 454; Jim Pfau 217; Steve Fletcher 277; Emily Creel 383; Sheila Girling-Macadam 474; Carmel Wood 365; Dave Townsend 148; Phil Tyler 111b; Dennis George 542; Chris Brown 38b; Cassie Franklin 512; Steven Levine 350.

RECESS

Ian West brought the class back together with 500 (CB). Leaders: Mandy Townsend 490; Jill Thompson 490; Ken Baddley 147t; Judy Whiting 373; Sheila Girling-Macadam 128; Helen Brown 282; Vicki Elliott 268; Mick Verrier 272; Margaret Gillanders 511t (CB); Emily Creel and Cassie Franklin 342; Edwin Macadam 528; Matt Wells 38t; Anna Stadward 86; Denise Kania 208; Steven Levine 199 (?); Dennis George 460; Jim Pfau 503.

After announcements, thanks were expressed to all those who made this convention a success. Helen Brown and Ian West led “The Christian’s Love” as the closing song, Jim Pfau gave the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Ian West; Vice Chairman—Helen Brown; Secretary—Margaret Gillanders.