The
'Mayflower in
London'
Sacred Harp Singing at the
Finnish
Lutheran Church in Rotherhithe, London, was called to order by Michael
Walker. He led 28t and 313b.
Michael
then spoke of the significance of the location of the singing: The first
all-day Sacred Harp singing in central London is in Rotherhithe, the home
port of the Mayflower, with its links to the Pilgrims’ emigration to
America. He spoke of one Puritan family and stressed the historical,
cultural, religious, personal and familial links between the two
countries.
Sheila Girling Macadam gave an excellent lecture on the British roots of
Sacred Harp music, beginning with the psalms sung by the Puritans of 17th
century New England. The class then sang 'Old 100th' as lined out by Dave
Townsend.
Sheila
Macadam continued her lecture on the links between Britain and the Sacred
Harp, leading the class on 273 and 300 to demonstrate the close musical
connections between 18th century British religious music and the New
England school.
Rachel Jordan led 49t.
Steve Fletcher then led the class on 34b and gave a talk on the history of
Sacred Harp and other shape note singing in the UK. She then led 31b.
Leaders: Edwin Macadam
287, 84;
Bernard Collard
28b,
362; Ken
Baddley
159,
350; Jacqui Selby-Macleod 163b, 448b; Mick Verrier 107, Mick and Emily
Verrier 146
Lunch recess
Nick
Hall called the class to order leading 63 and 503. Leaders: Dave
Richardson 82t, 473; Whitney Chapman
29t,
457;
Steven Biggs 178,
276;
Dave Townsend
250;
Linda Reid
99,
433;
Michael Walker 378t; Sheila Girling Macadam 268; Rachel Jordan 474, 501; Steve
Fletcher 448t; Emily Verrier 299, Edwin Macadam 183; Bernard Collard 454;
Ken Baddley 481; Jacqui Selby-Macleod 122; Mick Verrier 209
The
memorial lesson was conducted by Bernard Collard, who spoke of the power
of prayer to touch the lives of those who had experienced the loss of a
loved one. He then asked those present to remember the following: Amanda
Denson-Brady – Georgia; Loy Garrison (Georgia); Reby Stanford (Georgia); Corene Laminack
(Alabama); W.G. McGough (Alabama); Delores Beasley (Alabama); Virginia Stuart
(Tennessee); Jeanette Lowry (Missouri); Edith
Tate (Alabama); Homer Benefield (Georgia); Gladys McGraw (Georgia); Minja
Lausevic (Massachusetts); Cicely Mary Smith-Bird; Ursula Vaughan-Williiams;
Michael Markwell; Varsha Lighthill; Carol Gardiner (London); Christopher
Walker; Michael Bickell; Mr Watson of Manningtree School; Helene La Rue (Oxford). Michael Walker led 77t in their memory.
Ken
Baddley then held the sick and housebound lesson, and spoke of how we are
mindful of the lives of those who are not physically present and of how
they are nevertheless present to us in our hearts. Ken then led 27 for
Helen Bushell, Mandy Townsend, Mel Browne, Gladys Buchanan – Cheam
village; Karen Crook –
Exeter;
Pete Croot; Andy Lamb – Eynsham,
Oxford.
Recess
Leaders:
Steven Biggs called the class to order leading 45t; Nick Hall 497; Whitney
Chapman 335; Dave Townsend
85;
Linda Reid 515; Michael Walker 30b; Sheila Macadam
186;
Rachel Jordan 269; Steve Fletcher 148; Edwin Macadam 236; Jacqui
Selby-Macleod 143; Mick Verrier 142; Dave Townsend 155.
Thanks were extended to all those who made this singing day possible.
Announcements were made of upcoming singings. Sheila Macadam, Steve
Fletcher and Michael Walker led 56t as the benediction.
Chairman -- Michael Walker
Arranging Committee -- Sheila Macadam
Secretaries -- Jacqui Selby-Macleod and Nick Hall |