Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 4th Bristol All-Day Singing was called to order at Frenchay Quaker Meeting House by Kate Kirwan leading 72b. Matthew Parkinson offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Samantha Cole 31b; Leilai Immel 30t; Rachel Wemyss 68b; Barry Parsons 492; Steve Fletcher 106; Alec Williams 204; Crispin Walker 171; Teresa Maguire 278b; Steve Brett 88b; Charlie Williams 270; Rachel Jordan 150; Derek Buckland 28b; Toby Goss 210; Hauke Grünefeld 344; Vicki Elliot 377; Seth Dickens 102; Amelia Osborn 288; Joe Vickers 207; Tom Oldham 345b; Cath Saunt 299; Werner Ullah 37b; Hannah Land 298; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 282; Bridget McVennon 340.

RECESS

Matthew Parkinson called the class back to order leading 63. Leaders: Sarah West 124; Judy Whiting 105; Thom Nunns 114; Cora Wareh 523; Ted Brown 406; Eli Petzold 285t; Emma Hooper 335; Christian Liberati 49b; Francis Gaskin 567; Jen Codrington 440; Tarik Wareh 174; Jeremy Donaldson 86; Camilla Widholm 172; Caro Stamm-Reusch 397; Ian West 447.

The sick and housebound lesson was led by Crispin Walker, who spoke about the strength of our singing community and the support it offers. Crispin then led 154 in honor of the following people: Kerryn Botes Neilson, Concetta Branson, Hannah Mae Blair, Jackie Saunders, Geoffery Rendle, Alex Assis, Mary Jo Clogg, Nigel Cumber, Raisa Nasis, Curtis Owen, Edith Owen, Nate Green, Norma Green, Melanie Hauff, Barbara Meddoms, Edwin Macadam, Sheila Macadam, Mary Parkes, Dave Elliott, Jean MacDonald, and Karen Rollins.

Teresa Maguire conducted the memorial lesson in which she spoke about the antiquity of grief and music, and the generational lineage of the singing community. Teresa led 505 in memory of the following: Klaus Eichelmann—Germany; David Ritchie—Northern Ireland; Phoebe Davidson—London; Ruth Steggles—Nottingham; Don Grimshaw—Southampton; Ros Taylor—St John’s Chapel; Alex Elliott and Gordon Hoyland—Sheffield; Winifred Elliot—Bolton; Norman Johnson—Beaydon; Erika McVennon—Cumbria; Ruth Anglezake—Lewes; Gary Smith, Toney Smith, and Lavoy Smith—Alabama, USA; Jimmie Foreman—Texas, USA; B.M. Smith, Earlis McGraw, Johnny Lee, and Dolorese Lee—Georgia, USA; Don Fahrbach—Michigan, USA; April Selley—New York, USA. A post-memorial prayer was offered by Leilai Immel.

Leaders: Ella Cumber 448b; Nick Hall 515; Helen Brown 396; Faiz Wareh 133; Richard Mayers 300; Sinead Hanrahan 230. The blessing before the mid-day meal was offered by Geoff King.

LUNCH

Vicki Elliot called the class back to order leading 314. Leaders: Barry Parsons 542; Chris Brown 392; Lisa O’Grady 522; Oskar Kvasnes 297; Kate Coxon 312t; Amanda Parkes 316; Marielle Minutella 216; Nadia Abdelaziz 481; Steve Fletcher 504; Seth Dickens 312b; Cath Saunt 272; Rachel Wemyss 326; Joe Vickers 353; Caro Stamm-Reusch 276; Faiz Wareh 547; Emma Hooper, Charlie Williams, and Aubrey Hooper 112; Rachel Jordan 466; Francis Gaskin 408.

RECESS

Ian West called the class back to order leading 32t. Leaders: Jen Codrington 444; Sinead Hanrahan 373; Eli Petzold 99; Camilla Widholm 528; Tarik Wareh 100; Kate Coxon 472; Amanda Parkes 232; Oskar Kvasnes 309; Lisa O’Grady 187; Hannah Land 203; Nadia Abdelaziz 209; Marielle Minutella 178; Helen Brown and Ted Brown 225t; Cora Wareh 122; Richard Mayers 71; Judy Whiting 208; Matthew Parkinson 97.

Kate Kirwan made closing announcements, thanking all those involved in the organization and running of the day, and thanking those who had traveled to sing. Leilai Immel reported that eighty-seven songs had been sung by sixty-six registered singers, with fifty-five leaders representing six countries (The UK, Ireland, Germany, Norway, Canada, and the USA). Rachel Wemyss gave the Treasurer’s report, stating that all expenses had been met.

Kate Coxon offered the closing prayer. Kate Kirwan led 176t as the closing song, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Kate Kirwan; Vice Chairman—Samantha Cole; Secretary—Leilai Immel