Category Archives: Stithians Ladies Choir

Devon delights

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This year’s trip away saw the Ladies travelling to north Devon to sing with the gentlemen of Barnstaple Male Voice Choir. We had a lovely coach ride northwards stopping for coffee at Port Isaac and then for some retail therapy at Atlantic Village. We stayed at the Durrant House Hotel

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which was conveniently situated only minutes from the concert venue   – St Margaret’s Church, Northam.

The church is beautifully situated with a stunning view …

We were were lucky to be able to visit the church on Saturday morning to have a practice and sort out the logistics of the performance to be held that evening. After that the coach took us on a superb visit to the National Trust property at Arlington Court.

In the evening Northam church resounded to the music of two excellent choirs who provided a wonderfully varied programme to a highly appreciative audience. The weather was balmy, the acoustics warm and resonant, there were yummy refreshments to enjoy and a large sum was raised to help with the appeal for St Margaret’s roof. What more could you want on a relaxing summer’s evening?

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After the concert spirits were high, compliments abounded and we did not want to end the evening so the gentlemen came back to our hotel and shared some more refreshments – a good time was had by all!

Sunday was departure day and on the way back we stopped at the gorgeous RHS Rosemoor gardens which were at their most stunning in the Summer sunshine. From there we headed home having sampled some of the many delights that Devon has to offer ( but still eating our scones/jam/cream the correct Cornish way! )

Photos courtesy of Peter, Pete and Suzanne

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Well? …… Done!

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Our first charity concert of 2018 was held to support the work of Cara Coweth Water Sierra Leone, a Stithians based charity which helps to provide clean water in some of the most remote villages in Sierra Leone.

Choir members Monica and Mollie, seen here on a previous visit,

will be winging their way shortly to the village of Yamkoboh bearing funds which will enable the start of a new well – hence the title of this article!

Our concert was held in the wonderful acoustic of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Helston and we were thrilled to be joined by the Pentyr Singers 

and flautist Maia Roberts. The weather outside was wet and windy but the spirits of the audience were uplifted as both choirs sang their hearts out and Maia,

(pictured here holding her trophy from the recent County Music Festival) entertained and amazed us with her confidence, maturity and musical skill. The Choir is grateful to all the wonderful people who gave of their time, talents and hospitality to help raise money for this exceptional charity. Now we can move forward into Spring having done a little bit to enrich some lives – musically in Cornwall and aquatically in Sierra Leone!

Safe journey Mollie and Monica – we need you back for our next concert!    (19th May at Probus Village Hall with Imerys Mid-Cornwall Male Choir)

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NADELIK LOWEN HA BLYDHEN NOWYDH DA

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The Ladies have now completed their Christmas engagements and are preparing to enjoy the festive season with their loved ones.                        Here is a photo taken at the annual Carol celebration at The Stithians Centre. A young member of the audience was enlisted to play the djembe which accompanies “Gaudete, Christus est natus”

Photo: Phil Blease

Perhaps she will be  a Stithians Lady when she is older … she already has the confidence and musicality!

We would like to thank all readers of these pages, our families and friends for their continuing and highly valued support during this past year. We look forward to sharing more music and laughter with you all very soon.

 

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True Grit!

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Saturday 9th December was memorable because an icy Arctic blast brought freezing temperatures and snow to many parts of the UK. Luckily the snow did not reach Cornwall but Stithians Ladies needed all their resolve when they reached their concert venue … Budock Church, with all its ethereal beauty, had a heating malfunction! With enviable stoicism they tackled the first part of their programme wearing their fetching red and black uniform …but after a while, watching The Saxy Maids struggle with their very cold fingers … (but somehow making a gorgeous sound)

MD Bea, herself resorting to the trusty duffle coat …gave the order to don the coats and scarves. Relief!

Considering the conditions everyone did remarkably well – including the audience, all of whom stayed with us and enjoyed some truly fabulous music. The Saxy Maids swung some gorgeous arrangements, accompanist Rico introduced us to a new composer, President Thelma read a humorous poem

and Lee brought the house down with her Santa hat!

… you try singing whilst in fits of laughter! Actually it was just what we needed at that point and spirits were lifted as we approached the final song. Afterwards everyone was very glad of a nice cup of tea and some beautiful home made refreshments, really pleased that they had been able to support Children’s Hospice South West whose representative came along to explain how the donations make a huge difference to their work.

Thanks also to compere Andrew Thomas who was obviously tougher than  everyone – note the lack of outer garments!

This concert was memorable in several ways, raising a significant sum for a truly worthy cause and raising the awareness of many people that Stithians Ladies always rise to a challenge and will not be defeated!

STITHIANS LADIES CHOIR.                                                                          for the joy of music and friendship

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photos courtesy of Peter Williams

Delight in deepest Devon

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A chilly November day saw the Ladies boarding a coach to give a concert in Northlew, Devon. An invitation had come via a long term friend of Chairman Peggy and the Ladies voted to include our long term friends The Glee Singers.

The village of Northlew is blessed with a wonderful community hall which has modern facilities and a lovely welcoming atmosphere. Equally welcoming were the hosts and the audience and our efforts were rewarded with a fabulous supper. Not a single person was hungry when we got back on the coach and we returned to Cornwall with a sense of achievement and broad smiles. We love doing what we do!

Scrummy Devon delights!

And here is a beautiful study of our amazing accompanist Rico Gerber taken by loyal supporter Peter Williams.

 Kindness and gentleness personified.

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Our recent concert

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Undeterred by the disappointment of their cancelled concert last week – ( it was all Brian’s fault! ) the Ladies sallied forth on a cold Sunday evening to entertain the good folk of Edgecumbe Chapel. The weather may have been chilly but the atmosphere was warm as the Choir sang their hearts out to an appreciative audience.

Our wonderful accompanist, Rico, played a splendid solo piece as well as leaping up and down to the organ loft to play for the community hymns.

Sylvia entertained us with a couple of humorous poems and the Edgecumbe concert organisers provided some very delicious refreshments. All in all a fine evening’s entertainment. WELL DONE LADIES.

And since we are approaching the end of our 50th birthday celebrations here is a lovely study of what Stithians Ladies Choir represents ….

Sisters Marlene and Angeline ( wearing the special badges of honour ) along with several other founder members, have been in the choir since the beginning. That’s 50 years of dedication, commitment and loyalty, binding friendships and that unique feeling that comes with sharing wonderful music and a joint sense of purpose and belonging. With Ladies like these the choir continues to go from strength to strength – and don’t they look good on it?

HERE’S TO THE NEXT 50 YEARS!

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photos courtesy of Peter Williams