Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 4th Thanksgiving Day Singing was held in the Village Hall of Jordans, the Quaker Village, and burial place of William Penn. The class was called to order by Sheila Girling Macadam leading 34b. Rev. David Chantler offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Nick Hall 569b; Sofi Mogensen 28t; Rachel Jordan 47t; Ellyn Stokes 276; Edwin Macadam 40; Steve Welch 32t; Steve Fletcher 77t; Sheila Girling Macadam 315; Nick Hall 528; Sofi Mogensen 84; Rachel Jordan 171; Ellyn Stokes 107; Edwin Macadam 534; Steve Welch 411; Sheila Girling Macadam 480; Nick Hall 538; Sofi Mogensen 102; Rachel Jordan 155.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Sheila Girling Macadam; Vice Chairman—Edwin Macadam; Secretary—Sofi Mogensen; Arranging Officer—Nick Hall; Chaplain—Rev. David Chantler.

RECESS

Adrian Bolge brought the class back together leading 142. Leaders: Ellyn Stokes 319; Edwin Macadam 504; Steve Welch 70t; Steve Fletcher 108b; Sheila Girling Macadam 564; Nick Hall 573; Sofi Mogensen 31t.

Mary Welch, assisted by Antonina Spittal, conducted the memorial lesson reading “Pilgrimage”, by David Adam, the vicar of Lindisfarne. Steve Welch led 452 in memory of Jeanne Orton—Kidderminster; Simon Hewitt—Aberystwyth; Jean Hickox—Bourne End; Vic Newman—Lewes; Tristan Mirabaud—Lewes; Jan Fairley—Edinburgh; Georgie Chitty—Billericay; Ingrid Fabricus—Denmark; Peggy Lansbury—Prestwood; Robert Allan—Eastbourne; Joan Chantler—Macclesfield; and Reginald and Gladys Girling—Glasgow.

Edwin Macadam, assisted by Mike Cooper, gave the lesson for the sick and housebound reading from the last chapter of “The Plymouth Adventure”, by Ernest Gébler, and leading 68b. We remembered Isla Grace Halls, Edith Walden, Mary Wray, Linty Davison, Sara Ray, Paul Mogensen, Audrey Hewison, Benedict Simpson, and Tony Singleton. David Chantler closed the memorial with prayer, and asked Edwin Macadam to lead 49t.

Leaders: Rachel Jordan 65; Adrian Bolge 503; Ellyn Stokes 110; Steve Fletcher 82t; Nick Hall 562; Sofi Mogensen 312b; Steve Welch 50b. Mary Bolge offered thanks for the midday meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session commenced with Rachel Jordan leading 350. Leaders: Ellyn Stokes 270; Adrian Bolge 228; Edwin Macadam 183; Sheila Girling Macadam 352; Steve Fletcher 189; Elspeth Hannen 299; Nick Hall 515; Sofi Mogensen 148; Steve Welch 186; Rachel Jordan 474; Ellyn Stokes 69t; Steve Fletcher 196; Edwin Macadam 192; Adrian Bolge 49b; Sheila Girling Macadam 168; Elspeth Hannen 159; Nick Hall 535; Sofi Mogensen 448t; Ellyn Stokes 547; Edwin Macadam 236.

RECESS

The class was reconvened for the final session with Steve Welch leading 473. Leaders: Sheila Girling Macadam 486; Steve Fletcher 348t; Adrian Bolge 72b; Elspeth Hannen 497; Rachel Jordan 481; Nick Hall 556; Ellyn Stokes 47b; Sofi Mogensen 209; Edwin Macadam 163b; Sheila Girling Macadam 362; Steve Welch 73b; Steve Fletcher 128; Adrian Bolge and Matthew Bolge 45t; Elspeth Hannen and Ben Hannen 146; Rachel Jordan 454.

Announcements were made. After expenses had been met, the surplus from the day’s donations would again be passed to the Quakers for their use. Sheila Girling Macadam and Edwin Macadam led 347 as the closing song. David Chantler offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Sheila Girling Macadam; Vice Chairman—Edwin Macadam; Secretary—Sofi Mogensen