Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual South Yorkshire All-Day Sacred Harp singing was called to order by Vicki Elliott leading 101t. Ted Brown offered the opening prayer.

The following officers were appointed: Chairman—David D. Elliott; Secretaries—Eimear O’Donovan and Josh Lant; Arranging Committee—Sarah West and Steve Brett.

Leaders: Sarah West 29t; Eimear O’Donovan 100; Richard Mayers 38b; Margaret Gillanders 36b; Martel Reynolds 162; Calum Woods 36t; Hannah Land 37b; Benny Ross 166; Joy Spreadborough 30t; Joe Vickers 138t; Lin James 63; Steve Brett 89; Jacoba Bruneel 171; Helen Brown 131b; Derek Buckland 70t; Ted Brown 30b; Sarah West 479 (for Ian West); Penny Macbeth 122; Vicki Elliott 475; Martel Reynolds 142; Richard Mayers 183; Margaret Gillanders 546; Benny Ross 278b.

RECESS

Eimear O’Donovan called the class to order leading 39b. As there were some new singers present, the chair offered a welcome to all beginners, and invited Helen Brown to teach a brief singing school. Helen spoke on the shape note system, the modes of time, and led the class to sing together on the tenor line of 49t. Leaders: Calum Woods 126; Josh Lant 564; Derek Buckland 47t; Joy Spreadborough 277; Joe Vickers 43.

Hannah Land conducted the memorial lesson and read the list of names of the following recently deceased: Hugh McGraw, Edith Owen, Gravis Ballinger, Daphene Causey, Kameron Prescott, Tobey Boyes, Darrell Swarens, Steve Helwig, Rollo Woods, Amy Denison, Dennis Horton, Sharon Smith, Daniel Evans, Jean McDonald, and Donald McDonald. She also spoke for the following sick and housebound: Curtis Owen, Diane Ross, Melanie Hauff, Rev. Michael Pain, Chris Brown, David Elliott, Idy Kiser, Louise Holland, Sister Pippa, Sue Smith, Janet Hutsby, and Stuart Russell. Hannah Land led 330b, and closed the memorial lesson with a prayer.

Leaders: Steve Brett 400; Lin James 452; Jacoba Bruneel 102; Ted Brown 566; Penny Macbeth 39t; Martel Reynolds 48b. Margaret Gillanders offered the blessing for the midday meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Sarah West leading 270. Leaders: Richard Mayers 173; Vicki Elliott 522; Helen Brown 500 (in memory of Hugh McGraw); Calum Woods 224; Julie Russell 49b; Hannah Land 543; Eimear O’Donovan 411; Joe Vickers 433; Lin James 182; Ted Brown 119; Joy Spreadborough 354b; Jacoba Bruneel 440; Steve Brett 292; Penny Macbeth 107; Josh Lant 196; Benny Ross and Steven Ebbinghaus 128; Margaret Gillanders 391; Derek Buckland 206; Joe Vickers 207; Helen Brown 447 (for Chris Brown and Judy Whiting); Martel Reynolds and Tom Sprackland 268; Richard Mayers 504.

RECESS

Vicki Elliott called the class to order leading 32t. Leaders: Hannah Land and Mike Upton 148; Colin Higgins 296; Joy Spreadborough 154; Calum Woods 185; Lin James 303; Steve Brett 97; Jacoba Bruneel 335; Ted Brown 569b; Penny Macbeth 77t; Josh Lant 428; Margaret Gillanders 466; Derek Buckland 312b; Eimear O’Donovan 208 (in memory of Steve Helwig); Benny Ross and John Sprackland 556.

Vicki Elliott and David D. Elliott led 347 as the closing song. Calum Woods offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—David D. Elliott; Secretaries—Eimear O’Donovan and Josh Lant