Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 16th annual Sussex Shape Note Singing was held in Staplefield Village Hall, using the Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition and Alternative Harmony, a booklet of other shape note tunes. The class was called to order by Jill Thompson and Tony Singleton leading 34b.

Leaders: Nick Hall 565; Jacqui Selby-Macleod 47t; Guy Hayes 448t; Rachel Jordan 171; Steve Biggs 276; Edwin Macadam 540; Rebecca Over 475; Tom Gerber 100; Rob Mahoney 474; Steve Fletcher 48t; Steve Welch 147b; Adrian Bolge 147t; Sheila Girling Macadam 173; Jill Thompson 49b; Nick Hall 63; Jacqui Selby-Macleod 198; Steve Biggs 288; Rebecca Over 36b; Guy Hayes 421; Rob Mahoney 47b; Rachel Jordan 40; Tom Gerber 38b; Edwin Macadam 236; Steve Fletcher 217; Tony Singleton 300.

RECESS

Sheila Girling Macadam called the class to order leading 39t. Leaders: Steve Welch 489; Adrian Bolge 107; Jill Thompson 99; Guy Hayes 89; Nick Hall 231; Rebecca Over 430; Rob Mahoney 178; Tom Gerber 117; Jacqui Selby-Macleod 282; Steve Biggs 163b; Edwin Macadam 444; Rachel Jordan 344; Tony Singleton 501; Steve Fletcher 210; Adrian Bolge 503; Steve Welch 50b; Jill Thompson 504; Sheila Girling Macadam 299; Rob Mahoney 49t; Rachel Jordan 200.

LUNCH

Nick Hall called the class to order leading 73b. Leaders: Tony Singleton 496; Jacqui Selby-Macleod 82t; Steve Biggs 497; Guy Hayes 144; Rebecca Over 177; Tom Gerber 334; Steve Fletcher “Lancaster” (AltH); Edwin Macadam “Maryland” (AltH).

Rob Mahoney conducted the memorial lesson. Tom Gerber read the following list of names of the deceased: Carlene Griffin—Georgia, USA; Jeff Sheppard, Shelbie Sheppard, and Josie Hyde—Alabama, USA; Nigel Wheatley—Worthing; Dave Hill—Ringmer, East Sussex; Peter Stone—Oxford; Mona Wetherall—Leeds; Carol Venables—Otford, Kent; Chris Adams—Peterborough, Northants; Eileen Dee—Rottingdean, East Sussex; Don Bishop and Jean Bell—Lewes; Veronica Shrub, Irene Owen, and Ted Alderson—Tatsfield, Surrey; David Comelio—Tamworth, Staffs; Alice Wadsworth. Tony Singleton led 146 in their memory.

Rob Mahoney conducted the sick and housebound lesson. Ali McKenzie Wilcox read the following list of names: Jane Davies, Patricia Price, Brenda Thake, Hillary Bines, and Peter Gatenby. Jill Thompson led 159.

Leaders: Sheila Girling Macadam “Ten Thousand Charms” (AltH); Steve Welch “New England” (AltH); Adrian Bolge 142; Jacqui Selby-Macleod 122; Tony Singleton “Walpole” (AltH); Nick Hall “Idumean Road” (AltH); Jill Thompson 473.

RECESS

Edwin Macadam called the class to order leading “Warren” (AltH). Leaders: Guy Hayes 148; Rebecca Over 155; Steve Biggs “Life’s Purpose” (AltH); Steve Welch “Firm Hope” (AltH); Steve Fletcher “Red Lion” (AltH); Adrian Bolge 156; Rachel Jordan “New Invention” (AltH); Rob Mahoney 454; Tom Gerber 66; Sheila Girling Macadam 183; Steve Fletcher and Lesley White 268.

The Secretary reported that 34 people had registered, and 77 songs had been sung. Thanks were extended and announcements made. It was noted that the 2015 Sussex Shape Note singing would be held on Saturday, March 14, 2015.

Jill Thompson and Tony Singleton led 347 as the closing song, and the class was dismissed.

Co-Chairmen—Jill Thompson and Tony Singleton; Secretary—Jan Green