Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 2nd session of the annual West Midlands All-Day Sacred Harp singing was held on Saturday before the third Sunday in March at Fairfield Village Hall, Fairfield, Bromsgrove, United Kingdom. The class was called to order by Chris Coombs and Oisin Kisdon-Ireland leading 171. Joe Vickers offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Sarah West 31b; Jess Nock 49t; Elliot Cole-Parsons and Sam Cole 101t (for Annie Immel-Parkinson); Hannah Land 36b; Francis Barton 56t; Sophie Lockhart 153; John Sprackland 288; Christopher Tedd 30t; Leilai Immel-Parkinson 100; Joe Vickers 52b; Sonia Nayar 30b; Tom Sprackland 85; Matthew Parkinson 131b (for Michael Walker); Sheila Girling Macadam 475; Ed Johnson-Williams 303; Kate Kirwan 42; Richard Mayers 449; Jacoba Bruneel 411; Al Williams 67; Joyce Smith 283.

RECESS

Joshua Lant called the class to order leading 159. Leaders: Chris Noren 263; Steve Brett 322; Frederick Simmons 107; Erin Johnson-Williams 392; Helen Brown 379; Constance Des Marais 312b; Edwin Macadam 344; Barry Parsons 275b.

Jess Nock conducted a moving combined sick/housebound and memorial lesson, sharing thoughts on the power of community and fellowship. Thinking of those loved ones dealing with ill health or vulnerability, the following names were read aloud: Robin Willis, Adam Barnes, Maddie Hale, Elspeth Gracey, John Baldini, Rosie, Liz, Adrian Turner, Robin Turner, Heather Barton, Rachel Shanahan, Russell and Josie Vallence, Claire Goodchild, and Ken Baddley.

Holding in our minds and hearts those loved ones who have passed away in the last year, the following names were read aloud: Arlan Ingle-Gillis—Wales; Malik Williams—Alabama, USA; Kathleen Smith—Blue Anchor; Janet Wilcox—Nottingham; Reed Schilbach—Washington, USA; Jabbara Edwards—Washington, USA; Ruthanne and Corrone Bryant—Maine/Florida, USA; Simon White—Buxton; Beverly Rollins Thompson—Georgia, USA; Philip Reeves—Georgia, USA; Stephen Clancy—Shetland; Bernard Collard—Oxford; Rob Mahoney—Goring by Sea; Steve Biggs—Hove. Jess Nock concluded the lesson by leading 330b.

Leaders: David Garman 274t; Hannah Land 240; Christopher Tedd 276; John Sprackland 114; Francis Barton 480; Sarah West 328; Sophie Lockhart 196; Oisin Kisdon-Ireland 29t; Sonia Nayar 56b; Joyce Smith 69t. David Garman offered a blessing for the dinner on the grounds.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Ted Brown leading 81t. Leaders: David Garman 477; Jacoba Bruneel 197; Laurence Scarrott and Barry Parsons 58; Leilai Immel-Parkinson 349; Joe Vickers 296; Sheila Girling Macadam and Celine 430; Joshua Lant 447; Edwin Macadam 236; Erin Johnson-Williams 384; Oisin Kisdon-Ireland birthday wishes (for Annie, Edwin, Matthew, and Sam); Chris Noren 436; Constance Des Marais 440; Matthew Parkinson 203; Helen Brown 192; Steve Brett 426t; Oisin Kisdon-Ireland 335; Ed Johnson-Williams 340; Al Williams 88b; Tom Sprackland 362; Frederick Simmons 504; Hannah Land 532; Richard Mayers 260.

RECESS

Tom Sprackland called the class to order by leading 103. Leaders: Jess Nock 503; John Sprackland 271t; Joyce Smith 495; Barry Parsons 556; Christopher Tedd 86; Sarah West 135; Sophie Lockhart 378b; Sonia Nayar 300; Kate Kirwan 333; Ted Brown 378t; Leilai Immel-Parkinson 48t.

RECESS

Al Williams called the class to order leading 113. Leaders: Jacoba Bruneel 224; Francis Barton 51; Constance Des Marais 512; Richard Mayers 347; Steve Brett 176t (for Jessica and Robin); Erin Johnson-Williams 134; Barry Parsons 119; Joshua Lant 376; Edwin Macadam and Sheila Girling Macadam 472; David Garman 141; Frederick Simmons 155; Chris Noren 200; Matthew Parkinson 566. Following thanks, reports, and announcements, Chris Coombs led 62 as the closing song. Constance Des Marais offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairperson—Chris Coombs; Secretary—Oisin Kisdon-Ireland