Annual Gwehelog Sacred Harp Singing Day

Gwehelog Methodist Chapel, Wales

Saturday 14 July 2001

The third annual Gwehelog Sacred Harp Singing Day was held on the Saturday before the third Sunday in July.  The morning prayer was led by Edwin Macadam. The class was called to order at 11.00 a.m. with Ken Baddley leading song on page 34b. Leaders: Rachel Jordan 155; Edwin Macadam 473; Sheila Girling Smith (for Gina Balestracci and Roland Hutchinson) 535; Bernard Collard 63; Judy Whiting 171; Paul and Eleanor Sanderson 209; Ros Clements 228; Helen Brown (for Rosalind Oldham and Ruth and Dave Cooper) 411; Dave Townsend 383; Margaret Gillanders 84; Ian West 135; Mandy Townsend 106; Mick and Emily Verrier 107; Steve Fletcher 272; Paul Setford (for Mavis Clay) 178; Jill Thompson 99; Bob Parr (Mass., USA) 297; Grace Scrimgeour 33b; Dave Richardson 401; Jenny Ellis 49b; Phil Tyler 114; Ken Baddley 515; Rachel Jordan 189; Edwin Macadam 558; Sheila Girling Smith 504; Bernard Collard 362; Judy Whiting 222; Paul Sanderson 198; Ros Clements 560; Helen Brown 448t; Dave Townsend 217; Margaret Gillanders 49t; Ian West 270; Mandy Townsend 318.  The class sang the Gwehelog Grace and Helen Brown asked God’s blessing on the midday meal.

LUNCH RECESS

The class was called to order by Steve Fletcher leading song on page 448b. Leader: Bob Parr 288.  The Memorial Lesson was led by Ken Baddley, who read a short description of the funeral of a woman from the diary of Dorothy Wordsworth. This account had been read at the funeral of a young Hampshire singer, Ben Bailey early this year. We remembered Ben, Mrs. Knight, Gladys Vickery, Sir Harry Secombe, Frances Butcher, Jeremy Haslam, Isabel Joan Hunter, Slim Garrison, Robert Hupka and Tom Lock.  Ken Baddley led the song on page 163b.  For the Sick and Housebound, Bernard Collard told the story of the violinist, Itzhak Perlman and his triumph in completing concerto on an instrument with only 3 strings, the fourth having broken during the first few bars.  We are reminded that amazing things are still possible in the face of adversity if we are prepared to face the challenge. Those remembered were:  Heidi Marriott, Gordon Ashman, Marilyn Hood, Rosalind Oldham, Jeff  Sheppard, Eileen Dale, Catherine Cox, David Preston (aged 7), Phoebe Latham (aged 5), Win Tyler and Angie Richardson.  Sheila Girling Smith led the song on page 86.

The class resumed with Dave Richardson leading song on page 303, especially for Jeff Sheppard. Leaders: Grace Scrimgeour 31t; Jill Thompson 497.  Dave Townsend taught the class his new composition “Christmas Steps”.  Leaders: Paul Setford 87; Roz Argyle 532; Phil Tyler 74b; Jenny Ellis 48t; Mick and Emily Verrier 146; Ken Baddley 350; Rachel Jordan 269; Edwin Macadam 236; Sheila Girling Smith 553; Bernard Collard 474; Judy Whiting 441; Paul and Eleanor Sanderson 183; Ros Clements 510; Helen Brown 442; Margaret Gillanders (with Irene Bown) 148; Ian West 313b; Mandy Townsend 203; Bob Parr 112; Steve Fletcher 128; Dave Richardson 335; Mick and Emily Verrier 163t; Jill Thompson 454; Paul Setford 28b; Roz Argyle 452; Phil Tyler 29b; Dave Townsend 147t; Bob Parr 300.  Announcements were made and thanks passed to all those who had contributed to the success of the day and to the members and friends of the Gwehelog chapel for again allowing the use of the church. 

Those who were able were invited to attend the third Sankey and Moody Singing to be held at 11.00 a.m. the following day.  Paul Sanderson led the closing prayer and Ken Baddley led song on page 62.

Chairman - Ken Baddley; 

Pitchers - Rachel Jordan and Helen Brown; 

Catering Co-ordination - Jenny Ellis; 

Arranging Committee - Edwin Macadam and Sheila Girling Smith; 

Secretary - Sheila Girling Smith.

Gwehelog Singing, 13th - 15th July 2001

Report from Helen Brown

A week has almost passed since at least 60 people converged on the small valley surrounding Gwehelog, in Wales. My memory of the wonderful weekend of singing is still quite vivid and so, despite the fact that I had intended to write this report immediately we returned home, it's better late than never!

The weekend began for some on the Friday evening when about 20 of us arrived at the campsite near Chainbridge and enjoyed a summers' evening BBQ. When we had eaten and talked, the evening sun was setting and we felt compelled to regale the other campers with some of our Sacred Harp and West Gallery music. Ken Baddley conducted us ably with BBQ'd sausage in hand -I think itwas his way of cooling it down enough to eat - and several of the other residents of the campsite gathered nearer to our group to listen.

Unlike the previous two years in which the singing day had begun with bright sunshine, this year we awoke to torrential downpours and very grey skies. This meant that the lovely view from the small chapel at Gwehelog was shrouded in mist and the air was cool and damp. This did not, however, dampen anyone's spirits and the chapel was filled with the warmth that the fellowship of Sacred Harp singers produces. We were very happy to have with us Bob Parr from Arlington, Mass. and we were also joined by a fair number of the locals who spent the day singing with us - not to mention all of the usual attendees. The singing was spirited from the beginning and the energy of the class intensified throughout the morning.

It seemed that, with the pouring rain, our dinner on the grounds would have to be inside the chapel. However, at just about the time we sang Norwich - 362 - "Oh the delights, the heavenly joys, the glories of the place where Jesus sheds the brightest beams" - and in time to dry out the churchyard, the sun shone and we were able to enjoy a wonderful spread of food in the open air with the warm sun beating down on us all. God is so good.

The Memorial and Sick and Housebound lessons were led with the usual reverence and grace that we have come to expect from Ken Baddley and Bernard Collard. Jeff Sheppard was named on the sick and housebound list and as Dave Richardson was called to lead immediately following this, it wasparticularly appropriate that he should lead song on page 303.

Throughout the day most of the old favourites were sung, but a good number of songs were called that had either not been sung before in the UK, or had only received a brief outing - and most of them were sung well. My own particular favourite of the day, which has been sung on several occasions in the UK but never before with such energy, was Cobb - 313b - led by Ian West. It certainly made the rafters ring! The singing closed with Ken leading song on page 62 and we took the Parting Hand.

I could go on and describe the Sankey singing on the Sunday morning, but I'm hoping that someone else may do that - Dave Richardson perhaps! As I think I have said before - spending time with one's singing family is a true blessing and a sheer joy.

With love

Helen Brown
Derby, England