Milton and Norwood

We have had a cracking weekend singing our little socks off.

We certainly needed our socks on and any other layers we could shove on under top clothes at Milton Mausoleum on Sat. 2 December. It was literally warmer outside than in but that's where the cold stopped. We had the warmest welcome from a wonderful capacity audience who warmly applauded our singing. They sang enthusiastically in the audience participation carols and Gill must have lost pounds running up and down the aisle whilst encouraging EVERY ONE to stand up, sit down and sing during " The Twelve Days of Christmas."

David delighted with a viola solo with my favourite setting of "In the bleak Midwinter, Jan made them smile and Phil made a pretty fair substitute conductor.

The Mausoleum is such a special place with an atmosphere all of its own. We love to sing there, it is truly a privilege and a joy. Gill and Bobby have a band of gifted volunteers who made the event such a happy success. The lovely flower arrangements, mince pies, cakes, mulled wine and hot drinks and raffle all contributed to a "grand afternoon out."

Our next engagement was at Norwood Hall where we sang in the Gallery. It was a very grand but pretty setting for us to perform and we sounded good. We were even treated to a hot drink as we went in. One who shall be nameless struggled to get past the small mountain of cream, marshmallows and chocolate sprinkles in order to drink his hot chocolate. It was gorgeous though.

All thermals were off today and it was comfortably warm. Taking into account the number of fairy lights draped around some bodies, some folk must have been warmer than others.

Heather beautifully sang a solo descant in one of the carols and Sandra accompanied " O Come O Come Emmanuel" with a harmony on her clarinet equally beautifully.

Ash directed us with his usual enthusiasm and energy. He always gets the best out of us.

I have it on good authority that the refreshments for sale after the event were luscious and filled a small lunch gap very nicely.