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 was particularly 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