Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 20th Oxford All-Day Singing was held on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in June. Sheila Girling Macadam called the class to order at 10:00 a.m. leading 34b. Mary Welch offered the opening prayer. The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Sheila Girling Macadam; Treasurer—Edwin Macadam; Secretaries—Mary Welch and Brenda Harvey; Arranging Committee—Nick Hall and Nigel Bowley; Pitchers—Rachel Jordan, Toby Goss, and Michael Walker; Chaplains—Michael Walker, Julie Fox, Alec Williams, and Steve Marini.

Leaders: Brenda Harvey 47t; Toby Goss 28t; Edwin Macadam 31t; Nigel Bowley 39t; Werner Ullah 29b; Jac Gehring 178; Steve Welch 569t; Dave Townsend 142; George Simms 155; Chris Brown 28b; Joss Tait 312b; Alec Williams 101t; Derek Buckland 108b; Francis Gaskin 58; Machna Nowak 569b; Rachel Jordan 492; Teresa Maguire 348t; Catherine Roberts 37b; Steve Marini 299; Nick Hall 470; Michael Walker 528; Steve Fletcher 191.

RECESS

Nigel Bowley brought the class back to order leading 66. Leaders: Jac Gehring 146; Alec Williams 448t; Brenda Harvey 159; Michael Walker 169; Chris Brown 121; Toby Goss 479; Steve Welch 566; Nick Hall 447; Rachel Jordan 280; Dilwyn Scott 40; Margaret Gillanders 212; Sheila Girling Macadam 286; Machna Nowak 547; Edwin Macadam 236; Teresa Maguire 284; Catherine Roberts 531; Werner Ullah 448b; George Simms 452.

RECESS

Steve Fletcher brought the class back to order leading 29t. Leaders: Francis Gaskin 160t; Antonina Spittal 84; Margaret Gillanders 384; Derek Buckland 125; Dave Townsend 112; Steve Marini 455; Joss Tait 331; Brenda Harvey 49t; Sheila Girling Macadam 324.

Michael Walker conducted the memorial lesson, reflecting on the need to grieve: grief is part of the healing process following bereavement. Michael led 83t as we remembered the following deceased: Edith Owen, Daphene Causey, Kameron Prescott, Darrell Swarens, Steve Helwig, and Louise Holland—USA; Stephania Nowak—Poland; Mark Girling—Spain; Jennifer Bennett—Canada; Frank Pigott, Peter Sterry, Toby Boyes, Rollo Woods, Janet Winstanley, Peter Golding, Andy Spence, Jean Williams, Francesco Nazzini, Charlie Hicks, Ivan Bainbridge, Kamila Zahno, Michael Seifert, and Michael Spittal—United Kingdom.

Julie Fox spoke of how the sick and housebound list in her childhood village’s church contributed to the compassion and to the strength of the local community. Whilst Sheila Girling Macadam led 288, we held in our thoughts the following people: Paul Seward, Curtis Owen, Revd Michael Pain, Joy Spreadborough, Don Walker, Charlotte Walker, Evelyn Munson, Jeannie Blagg, David Elliott, Rob Burbea, Paula Mogensen, Gladys Davies, Brian Marchant, Sylvia Marlow, and Chris Marlow. The memorial was closed.

The class resumed singing with Chris Brown leading 392. Leaders: Steve Fletcher 189; Dave Townsend 551; George Simms 300; Toby Goss 196; Margaret Gillanders 460; Nick Hall 441. Alec Williams offered thanks for the midday meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session commenced with George Simms leading 33b. Leaders: Dilwyn Scott 268; Michael Walker 567; Steve Marini 532; Rachel Jordan 522; Francis Gaskin 201; Machna Nowak 48b; Edwin Macadam 332; Nigel Bowley 113; Teresa Maguire 500; Catherine Roberts 480; Werner Ullah 133; Derek Buckland 399b; Alec Williams 270; Jac Gehring 163b; Steve Welch 147b; Julie Fox 85; Brenda Harvey 162; Chris Brown 546. We sang 34b for Alec Williams, whose birthday it was today and presented him with his own cake. Sheila Girling Macadam led 53 to mark the 20th Oxford All-Day singing, after which a celebratory cake was consumed.

RECESS

The final session commenced with Nick Hall leading 454. Leaders: Steve Marini 250; Catherine Roberts 171; Steve Fletcher 217; Margaret Gillanders 564; Sue Bird 535; Michael Walker 354t; Francis Gaskin 326.

The Secretaries reported that thirty-five singers had registered from the UK, Ireland, and USA, and that ninety-one songs had been led by twenty-eight leaders. The Treasurer reported all the day’s expenses had been met. Announcements of forthcoming singings were made. Sheila Girling Macadam and Edwin Macadam thanked all the officers, committees, and anyone who helped in any way to make this singing a success. It was agreed the 21st Oxford All-Day Singing should be held at the Botley Women’s Institute Hall on Saturday, June 22, 2019.

Sheila Girling Macadam and Edwin Macadam led 347 as the closing song. Steve Marini offered the closing prayer, after which the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Sheila Girling Macadam; Secretaries—Mary Welch and Brenda Harvey