Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 26th Oxford All-Day Singing was held on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in June at Botley Women’s Institute Hall, Oxford, United Kingdom. Co-Chairman Sheila Girling Macadam called the class to order at 10:30 a.m. leading 34b. David Garman offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Edwin Macadam 84; Connie Des Marais 171; David Garman 133; Toby Goss 38b; Mandy Townsend 532; Mick Verrier 163t; Joe Vickers 458; Dave Townsend 127; Daniel Allcock 448b; Nigel Bowley 201; Inga Buckland 285b; Ted Simonds 73t; Esme Byrd 29t; Neil Horlock 65; Jacqui Knowles 299; Joyce Smith 495; Nick Hall 560; Erin Johnson-Williams 129; Stephen Marini 198.

RECESS

Derek Buckland brought the class back to order leading 70t. Leaders: Seth Dickens 444; Bridget McVennon-Morgan 406; Peter Banks 474; Chris Coombs 112; Brenda Bowley 101b; Helen Brown 411; Teresa Maguire 288; Matthew Parkinson 329.

Peter Banks conducted a combined sick and housebound and memorial lesson, reflecting on how death was a continuation of life and love through the songs in the Sacred Harp. We were asked to think of the following people still with us: Cäcilia Mann, Margaret Gillanders, Jackie Johnson, and Fred Crosskey. Thoughts were also addressed to those no longer with us: Buell Cobb and Henry Guthery—Alabama, USA; Chloe Webb—Texas, USA; Roman Ratushnyi—Kyiv; Jenny Cox—Bristol; Julie Kimber-Nickelson—Oxford; Steve Biggs—Hove; Rowan Davies—Muxton; John Saunders—Birmingham; Rob Mahoney—Goring-by-Sea; Robin Nicholson—Rushlake Green; Robin Turner—Surrey; Chris Strachan—Harwich; and Bernard Collard—Cheltenham. Peter led 425 for all those named, and closed the memorial service with prayer.

Singing resumed with Ed Johnson-Williams leading 426t. Leaders: Barry Parsons 41; Rachel Jordan 565; Clara Potter-Sweet 76b; Steve Brett 316; Ted Brown 303; Amelia McVennon 30t; Toby Goss 481; Neil Horlock 448t; Jacqui Knowles 496. Jess Nock offered thanks for the mid-day meal.

LUNCH

The first afternoon session commenced with Dave Garman leading 284. Leaders: Connie Des Marais 189; Joyce Smith 36t; Nick Hall 455; Erin Johson-Williams 280; Sheila Girling Macadam 550; Esme Byrd 564; Mick Verrier 362 (in memory of Bernard Collard); Barry Parsons 216; Stephen Marini 236; Inga Buckland and Edwin Macadam 553; Teresa Maguire 440; Joe Vickers 202; Clara Potter-Sweet 328; Seth Dickens 111b; Matthew Parkinson 345b; Edwin Macadam 528; Derek Buckland 368; Brenda Bowley 318; Ted Simonds 504; Dave Townsend 183.

RECESS

The final session commenced with Bridget McVennon-Morgan leading 131b. Leaders: Nigel Bowley 175; Bridget Walker 106; Rachel Jordan 475; Steve Brett 505; Dilwyn Scott 40; Morgan Kist 147t; Helen Brown 208; Ed Johnson-Williams 539; Mandy Townsend 203; Chris Coombs 314; Ted Brown 546; Peter Banks 473; Dilwyn Scott 268; visitors from Continental Europe 193; visitors from USA 86; Kitchen Helpers 324; singers with birthdays in June and July 551; Oisin Kidson-Ireland 290.

The Secretary reported fifty-five singers had registered from the UK, Germany, and USA, and eighty-one songs had been led by thirty-eight leaders. The Treasurer reported all the day’s expenses had been met. Sheila Girling Macadam and Connie Des Marais thanked everyone who helped in any way to make this singing a success. It was agreed the 27th Oxford All-Day Singing should be held at the Botley Women’s Institute Hall on Saturday 27 June 2026.

Sheila Girling Macadam, Edwin Macadam, Connie Des Marais and David Garman led 347 as the closing song. Derek Buckland offered the closing prayer, after which the class was dismissed.

Co-Chairs—Sheila Girling Macadam and Connie Des Marais; Vice Chairman—David Garman; Treasurer—Edwin Macadam; Secretaries—Toby Goss and Nick Hall