Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 5th Bristol All-Day Singing was called to order at Frenchay Quaker Meeting House by Samantha Cole leading 492. Thom Fahrbach offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Leilai Immel-Parkinson 48t; Alec Williams 49b; Steve Brett 73t; Emma Hooper 335; Samuel Turner 49t; Rachel Wemyss 59; Christian Liberati 146 (dedicated to Geoff King and Jane Bennett on their wedding anniversary); Matthew Parkinson 81t; Kate Kirwan 90; Charlie Williams 154; Brenda Harvey 159; Werner Ullah 503; Simon Read and Toby Goss 338; Thomas Sprackland 89; Steve Fletcher 212; Dave Townsend 148; Nigel Bowley 274b; Teresa Maguire 179; Toby Goss 155; Robin Bisson 142; Jacoba Bruneel 215; Edwin Macadam 315; Machna Nowak 122; Derek Buckland 29b.

RECESS

Barry Parsons called the class back to order leading 121. Leaders: Joe Jones 314; Sheila Girling Macadam 286; Francis Gaskin 390; Amy Cutts 70b; Rebecca Over 392; George Simms 280; Vicki Elliott 272; Ian West 500; Mandy Townsend 163t; Nick Hall 454; Sam Carter 292; Seth Dickens 481; Ted Brown 391; Rachel Jordan 564.

The sick and housebound lesson was led by Caro Stamm-Reusch, who spoke of the positive power of thoughts and prayers directed towards those in need. Caro then led 32b in honor of the following people: Ottis Sides, Velton Chafin, Melanie Tonnies, Derek Malin, Chris Brown, Sister Pippa, Colin Smail, Bob Patten, Andy Spence, Keith Mendes, and Paula Mogensen.

Sinead Hanrahan conducted the memorial lesson in which she spoke of the recently deceased Professor Stephen Hawking’s teachings on the everlasting nature of energy and linked this to the lasting affect people have on those they interact with and encouraged the class to reflect on those who have influenced our lives. Sinead led 176t in memory of the following: Daphene Causey and Glenda Hopper—Alabama, USA; Louise Holland, Hugh McGraw, Wawena Entrekin Miles, Florice Akin, and Audrey Ruth Garner—Georgia, USA; Darrell Swarens—Indiana, USA; Steve Helwig—Oregon, USA; Ulli Windmeier—Munich, Germany; Reginald Brett—Sunningdale; Kerryn Neilson—Johannesburg RSA; Lyndsey Cockwell—Berlin/London; Jackie Saunders—Eynsham; Michael Seifert, Kamila Zahno, and Frank Pigott—London; Charlie Hicks—Hereford; Ivan Bainbridge—Sheerness; Francesco Nazzini—London and Naples; Rollo Woods—Swanage; Mark Girling—Spain; Jennifer Bennett—Canada; and Jean Williams—Hitchin. The memorial service was closed with prayer offered by Matthew Parkinson.

Leaders: Helen Brown 134; Jan Geerts 297; Calum Woods 139; Karen Turner 189; Inga Huebner 359. The blessing before the mid-day meal was offered by Michael Walker.

LUNCH

Kate Kirwan called the class back to order leading 97. Leaders: Sarah West 333; Charles Biada 336; Sinead Hanrahan 214; Michael Walker 322; Thom Fahrbach 225b; Gwen Gethner 436; Aldo Ceresa 522; Aaron Kahn 95; Caro Stamm-Reusch 375; Duane Nasis 172; Lucy Day and Aldo Ceresa 290; Edwin Macadam 528; Helen Brown 532; Meg Winter 424; Joe Jones 273; Steve Fletcher 216; Jacoba Bruneel 302; Dave Townsend 378b; Rebecca Over 348t.

RECESS

Steve Brett and Vicki Elliott called the class back to order leading 87. Leaders: Calum Woods 186; Sheila Girling Macadam 377; Charles Biada and Gwen Gethner 77t; Jan Geerts 415; Rachel Jordan and Nick Hall 441; Thom Fahrbach 428; Inga Huebner 96; Aldo Ceresa 430; Ted Brown 72b; Aaron Kahn 84; Mandy Townsend 480; Michael Walker 460; Ian West 447; Seth Dickens 505; Nigel Bowley and Brenda Harvey 29t; Sam Carter 506; Leilai Immel-Parkinson 76b.

Samantha Cole made the closing announcements, thanking all those involved in the organization and running of the day, and thanking those who had travelled to sing. Alec Williams reported that eighty-six songs had been sung by seventy-nine registered singers, with fifty-seven leaders representing five countries (UK, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, and USA). Meg Winter gave treasurer’s report stating that all expenses had been met.

Sam Cole led 62 as the closing song. Calum Woods offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Samantha Cole; Vice Chairman—Leilai Immel-Parkinson; Secretary—Alec Williams