Tour Reports 2011

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Lincoln Cathedral - April 2011 

At the end of April, members of the Open University Chapel Choir journeyed to Lincoln in order to sing the weekend services in the wonderful setting of  Lincoln Cathedral.  We stayed at the Best Western Bentley Hotel at South Hykeham, a few miles outside the city centre and, although the traffic was awful on the day we arrived, we had little difficulty getting to and from the Cathedral on time thanks to a car-sharing rota, drawn up by Margaret Roy, and clear directions to suitable car parks, which Sue Munday had researched in advance.  The hotel was excellent, the staff were very helpful and the food amongst the best we have ever had.  The only grumble was that the signage from the main road wasn’t terribly clear (or large) and a few people missed the turning initially.

We welcomed to our ranks David Bruce-Payne, our organist for the weekend, who had nobly ‘stepped into the breach’ in the absence of Richard King, who was unable to be with us.  At the beginning of our first rehearsal on Friday, we remembered David Lowton with a minute’s silence and a short prayer.  We were all pleased that Sandra had felt able to be with us, however, and appreciated how difficult the weekend might be for her.

Being the ‘choir in residence’ that weekend we had been asked to sing additionally at a wedding taking place in the Cathedral on the Saturday afternoon.  The anthem chosen by the young couple was Bach’s ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’, which we sang during the signing of the register as well as boosting the congregational singing of the three hymns.  This was our first service and was shortly afterwards followed by Evensong, at which a new Chapter Clerk was installed.  On the Sunday morning we had an early start with Eucharist at 9.30 am (Schubert Mass in C), followed by Mattins and, after a break for lunch and a stroll around in the sunshine, the day concluded with Evensong, after which the majority of people departed, although thirteen stayed on in the hotel for a further night (and a further dip in the pool), travelling home on the Monday, a Bank Holiday.

We did a lot of walking!  Up and down Steep Street (with its useful handrail) to the town centre and up and down the stone spiral staircase to the Song School to rehearse or leave our belongings, whilst singing in the quire stalls.  I was in charge of the rather large key to the Song School, which I had to try to secrete about my person whilst singing!  It also meant I had to be last out and first back in order to let everyone else in!  We admired the spectacular architecture and I think most of us managed to locate the ‘Lincoln Imp’, high up in the East end of the Cathedral, while I’m sure all of us managed to locate the Refectory!  At least we had some exercise to counteract the hotel’s full English breakfasts and excellent evening meals! 

We thank the two Davids, Knight and Bruce-Payne, for all their efforts over the weekend and look forward to our next outing, which will be to Hereford at the end of July.

Hereford Cathedral - August 2011 

Hereford and its lovely Cathedral were the venue for the OUCC’s summer tour in 2011.

Although a few people were ‘non-resident’, either living (or holidaying) in the vicinity, the rest stayed at the Three Counties Hotel, where we were well looked after. Conveniently situated, it was within walking distance of the Cathedral, although, given the early starts, most of us chose to go by car and were lucky enough to be able to park in the Bishop’s Palace, thanks to the efforts of Margaret Roy, who had arranged this for us.  Similarly Belmont Abbey, where we rehearsed on the Friday, was within walking distance and a number of people took the opportunity for a little exercise, despite the inclement weather that day!  We were fortunate to have been able to arrange to use the Parish Centre there as a rehearsal venue, whilst Hedley Lodge, also in the grounds of the Abbey, was able to provide a group lunch for us.

The weather improved on Saturday and Sunday, allowing us the opportunity to sit outside in the delightful courtyard area of the Cathedral’s Cloister Café during our refreshment breaks or to lunch ‘al fresco’ in the city centre.  Following Sunday Matins, we were welcomed most hospitably to the Precentor’s house for a pre-prandial sherry in his garden.  Although our free time was fairly limited, due to the amount of music we had to cover for four services, choir members had some opportunity to explore the Cathedral, perhaps visiting its ‘Mappa Mundi’ or ‘Chained Library’, viewing some unusual stained glass off the Lady Chapel and, no doubt, seeking the delights of the Cathedral Shop.

We sang at Saturday and Sunday Evensong and Sunday Eucharist and Matins.  We enjoyed the Schubert Mass rather more this time, being both more familiar with it and more numerous, and we thank Gordon Pritt for its transposition.  I (Sheila) was particularly pleased to sing again David Knight’s setting of Psalm 23, dedicated to Rex, with violin accompaniment from Ester King Smith, and, apart from two closing hymns, this was our final piece on Sunday – a fitting way to finish.

In our prayers on Saturday we remembered a choir member, Jennifer Worth, who passed away at the end of May.

As ever, we extend our appreciation to David Knight (musical director) and Richard King (organist) for all their hard work, both during the weekend and in preparation for it.

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