Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 23rd annual Gwehelog Sacred Harp Singing was held on Saturday before the third Sunday in July. The class was called to order by Harry Byford leading 82t. Ellen Southern gave the morning prayer.

Leaders: Lilith Wozniak 27; Chloë Somers 28b; Billy Harvell-Smith 235; Joyce Smith 36b; Francis Zain 124; Al Williams 330t; Sarah West 323t; Joe Jones 105; Mandy Rose 84; Jacoba Bruneel 30t; Bridget McVennon-Morgan 32t; Werner Ullah 70t; Jo-anne Carlyle 547; Sam Carter 68b.

RECESS

Barry Parsons called the class back to order leading 166. Leaders: Clara Potter-Sweet 42; Ed Johnson-Williams 73t; Vicki Elliott 447; Peter Banks 227; Teresa Maguire 500; John Sprackland 401; Leilai Immel-Parkinson 47b; Ted Brown 111b.

Joshua Lant gave the sick and housebound lesson and examined the meaning of the common phrase “At least you have your health”. Joshua read the following names: Chris Brown and Judy Whiting—Elland; Jane Jenkins—London; Daniel Oldham—Derby; Cath Tyler—Newcastle upon Tyne; Bernie Pridden—Halesowen; Cäcilia Mann—Cologne, Germany; Bea Aaron and Joyce Walton—Alabama, USA. Joshua led 539 for the sick and housebound.

Jo-anne Carlyle delivered the memorial lesson on remaining compassionate for those we don’t know as well as those close to us—a lesson for all humankind and our compassion for humanity. Jo-anne read the following names: Bernard Collard—Cheltenham; Steve Biggs—Hove; Rob Mahoney—Goring-by-Sea; Kathleen Sutters—Blue Anchor; Fizzy Oppé—Cardiff; Peter Polish, Lynne Dedman—Carmarthen, Wales; Peter Child, Anita de Lotbinìere, Constanze Dennis, Neill Thompson, Dinos Nearchou, Gregory Marsh—London; Jean Rogan, Joe Rogan—Consett Co. Durham; Dave Crowther—Northumberland; Dingo Dinkleman—South Africa; Buell Cobb—Alabama, USA; Beverly Rollins Thompson—Georgia, USA; Tom Tucker, Dave Bennett—Pennsylvania, USA. Jo-anne led 313b for the deceased. Ted Brown gave the memorial prayer.

Leaders: Erin Johnson-Williams 287; Tom Sprackland 220; Claire Welford 196; Edwin Macadam 538; Kate Kirwan 172; Derek Buckland 330b; Steve Brett 123t; Rowan Simms 354t. Grace was given by Steve Brett.

LUNCH

Al Williams called the class back to order leading 49b. Leaders: Matthew Parkinson 300; Helen Brown 542; Oisin Kisdon-Ireland 142; Sheila Girling Macadam 302; Fynn Titford-Mock 291; Rahel Hunter 50t; Keillor Mose 445; Thom Fahrbach 309; Rachel Hall 498; Sebastian Beaghen 528; Michael Walker and Erin Johnson-Williams 306; Kate Kirwan 396; Billy Harvell-Smith 270; Claire Welford 112; Sam Carter 328; Clara Potter-Sweet 224; Joshua Lant 181; Jacoba Bruneel 214; Edwin Macadam 236; Sarah West 88t; Joe Jones 71; Leilai Immel-Parkinson 97; Ed Johnson-Williams 375; Bridget McVennon-Morgan 456; Barry Parsons 273.

RECESS

Calum Woods called the class back to order leading 406. Leaders: Werner Ullah 29t; Steve Brett 187; Teresa Maguire 485; Tom Sprackland 26; Thom Fahrbach 331; Peter Banks 76b; Rachel Hall and Fynn Titford-Mock 269; Michael Walker 35; Sheila Girling Macadam 200; Rahel Hunter 29b; Keillor Mose 436; John Sprackland 385b; Sebastian Beaghen 565; Helen Brown 475; Rowan Simms 263; Oisin Kisdon-Ireland 204; Derek Buckland 368; Erin Johnson-Williams 399b.

Thanks were given to the officers and committee members, keyers, refreshments, and food organisers. Treasurer Billy Harvell-Smith reported that costs had been met. The Secretary’s Report was given by Chloë Somers: fifty-four registered singers, forty-six leaders from five countries (UK, Germany, Ireland, Spain, and USA) led seventy-nine songs. Announcements were made.

Harry Byford led 347 as the closing song. Mandy Rose offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chair—Harry Byford; Secretaries—Chloë Somers, Bridget McVennon-Morgan, Joyce Smith