Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

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United Kingdom Sacred Harp Heritage Tour

Places of Interest in England and Scotland

June 3-14, 2024

The touring group of Sacred Harp Singers visited places of interest in England and Scotland. The class sang at various graveyards, chapels, and churches of persons who made significant contributions to The Sacred Harp.

Tuesday, June 4

The class sang 47t at the grave of Isaac Watts, and 72b at the grave of John Rippon at Bunhill Fields Burial Ground, London.

Thursday, June 6

Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. On the coach to Olney, the class sang songs which came from Olney Hymns. Samuel Sommers led 148. Wendy Wahn offered a prayer, and led 56b. Other leaders: Fay Baird 68t; Kathy Williams 56t; Ann Riley 458; Deborah Taube 287; Daryl Chesney 335; Karen Rollins 105; Julia Thompson 168; Idy Kiser 74b; David Ivey 27. At the Cowper and Newton Museum in the town of Olney, the class sang 505 (CB); in the parish church graveyard the class sang 45t; in the Church the class sang 34t and the present curate, the Rev. Hugh Reid, said a closing prayer for our Olney visit.

Thursday, June 6

At Doddridge Chapel, Northampton, England, the class sang 39t and 112.

Friday, June 7

At the Isaac Watts Memorial, South Hampton, England, the class sang 34b; from the vista which inspired “There is a land of pure delight” the class sang 303.

Monday, June 10

Wainsgate Chapel, overlooking the town of Hebden Bridge in the chapel, Chris Brown spoke briefly about the significant contributions made to The Sacred Harp by West Yorkshire musicians and poets, notably Israel Holdroyd and John Fawcett. David Ivey led 28t, 28b; Samuel Sommers led 30t (CB), 205. At John Fawcett’s grave in the churchyard, the class sang 330b.

Tuesday, June 11

The class sang 45t in the Norman Chapel, one of Durham Castle’s most important spaces. Norman Chapel, Durham Castle, England, was constructed around 1080, and is the city’s oldest building.

Thursday, June 13

At Rosslyn Chapel, Scotland, the class sang 45t. Several other tourists and pilgrims joined in the singing.

Thursday, June 13

At Old Temple Kirk, Scotland, the class sang 162.

Friday, June 14

Enroute to the Edinburgh airport, the class sang 347 and Wendy Wahn offered a prayer.

Tour leader—David Ivey; Secretary—Samuel Sommers