Tour Reports 2014

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Exeter Cathedral - April 2014 

When the OUCC visited Manchester in 2013 we had a gloriously dry and warm weekend.  This year in sunny Devon, we got frequent and heavy showers.  “Shower” would not, however, have been a fitting description for the choir, who presented themselves and their music with a discipline that ensured the Cathedral a high standard.  Familiar settings such as Walmisley in D minor, and more challenging works like James Macmillan’s The Lamb has come for us were all tackled with enthusiasm.  John Naylor’s leadership and direction were excellent, as was the able accompaniment of organist William Nicholson.  Thanks to both of you for all your hard work.

At the Sunday Eucharist our preacher was the Dean of Bahrain.  Quite a few of the choir were captivated by the additional talk which he gave afterwards in the Chapter House during coffee.

On the wall of the south aisle I noticed a memorial to Charles Hawtrey.  This one was a Sub-dean in the 1760s, but it allowed me to wonder whether I could devise a storyline for a sort of eighteenth century Carry on Dean.  On reflection, though, anything that poked fun at the current staff would be most unfair, as they were all very welcoming to our group – not only in word and deed but also in cream teas.

For me the weekend was, too, a reunion of a group of old friends.  Some are older than others, and perhaps one day it will be time for those of us with weaker voices or failing limbs to retire.  This trip, though, provided the sort of memories that all of us want to have of our singing days, when they do finally stop.

Lastly, after dinner on Saturday night (and in my absence) some kind people volunteered me to write this article for the newsletter.  Entirely by coincidence the first line of Psalm 30 on Sunday evening included the words “thou hast set me up”.  Enough said.

Bill Butler 

Lichfield Cathedral - August 2014 

Lichfield Cathedral has three spires.  Pay attention - I may refer to one or more of these again.  The clergy and staff were unfailingly welcoming and appreciative of our visit, with special thanks due to Nigel, our mentor for the weekend.  Although the building’s facilities are limited, we had the use of no. 14 The Close for robing and refreshments, and College Hall for rehearsals.  This entailed short walks between the various buildings, but nothing that would cause us to perspire.  

Our Music Director, John Naylor, reminded us of the best techniques for good singing, with clear, strong entries that much easier if we respire correctly. As always, John had chosen a good selection of music, with time-honoured canticles, new anthems and some challenging psalm settings.  Our organist was William Nicholson, whose skilled playing never failed to inspire us.  Incidentally, Will not only played with his feet bare, but also walked everywhere without socks or shoes!  None of us followed his example, though.

The George Hotel, a short distance away, was a good base for the choir.  There were some minor inconveniences, but being presented with the same menu for a third night running caused our patience to expire. However, the staff revised it at once, and in fact looked after us very well.

Occasionally there were timetable clashes that conspired to interfere with rehearsals (competing against a peal of bells), or sleep (the hotel had loud wedding parties on two evenings), but we managed to overcome these, and most of us (if not all) really enjoyed the weekend.  It was good to see some new singers (not all of them from Nantwich) who helped us produce a good balanced sound. Ester and the management team did, I know, work hard with John to achieve that.

After Evensong on Sunday the Vice-Dean said how much they had enjoyed our singing, and sincerely hoped that we would be able to come again.  That’s just the sort of compliment that we aspire to!

Bill Butler

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