Flower sweet shop goes down a treat
Pam Keeley, who is partially blind and partially deaf, spent several months creating a ‘flowery sweetshop’ model given to her by her children for her to complete. She is pictured proudly showing it at a coffee morning at St Andrew’s Church, in Witchford, Pam will be 85 in December.
Dr Rosemary Westwell
Review of Ely Consort’s A Celebration of Summer at St. Mary’s Church, Burwell on Saturday, June 24.
Ely Consort conductor Matthew Rudd, clarinettist Claire Stevenson and accompanist, Anne Reece, rose to the occasion in spite of the heat. They gave a grand concert including in the programme some of the finest composers, so we were left with the feeling that we had been honoured with delightful celebration of our warm summer with a splendid programme of first-class music.
The programme included works by Handel, Alan Bullard, Ernest Farrar, John Ireland, Gerald Finzi, Eric Whitacre, Paul Reade, John Dankworth, Joseph Horovitz and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Many of the songs were performed unaccompanied and Little Birds by Whitacre was amazing. There was no doubt that this Spanish song was about little birds for bird calls were incorporated in the sounds the singers were making.
When they threw in the air of papers that fluttered down like a flock of birds at the end of the song, it stole the day.
I’ve always loved the lyrical melodies of John Ireland and Finzi and tonight’s compositions were excellent examples.
Claire played John Dankworth’s Pavane and Scherzo with real spirit and we were treated to some lovely jazzy moments.
It was easy to see why the clarinettist’s favourite composition was Lento and Con brio’ by Horovitz for she played this with impressive control, giving the rising notes in the developing melodies notable feeling.
Anne Reece accompanied with sensitivity, enhancing the pieces considerably. She was a real asset to the programme.
The concert opened grandly with a robust performance of Handel’s The King Shall Rejoice, reminding us of the magnificent of the recent coronation of our King, Charles 111 and the concert closed with an imposing performance of Vaughan William’s Toward the Unknown Region.
The latter composition included choir, pianist and clarinettist. The depth and expressiveness of the work was well matched by the performers and made a perfect ending to this magnificent evening.
Ely Consort can be heard in Chatteris Parish Church on November 25.
Dr Rosemary Westwell
Soham News
Soham Community Group
On the morning of Monday, June 19 members of the Monday Club met at the Causeway Centre. On arrival, they were welcomed by the volunteers before being served coffee, tea, cheese scones, sausage rolls or cake.
There was lots of time to chat and catch up with friends. The entertainment on this occasion was a singing group called The Crows.
Lily the Pat dog and her owner Angela also attended. On this week’s menu for lunch was sausage and mash followed by chocolate fudge cake.
Birthday greetings were sung to Arlene King and Joan Fuller. Claire and mum Jean organised the raffle, and refreshments were served.
Games of bingo, with Claire calling the numbers, assisted by Jean checking the books, brought the day to a close. All prizes were donated by Andrew Fleet. After another enjoyable day, the members made their way home.
Community Care Coffee Morning
Diane Wheeling welcomed 17 people to the coffee morning on June 20. There was lots of chat and catching up with friends while being served coffee, tea and biscuits.
Diane organised the raffle of prizes donated by the members. Everyone is welcome to join these coffee mornings, which take place from 9am till 11am on Tuesdays.
Comrades Club
Members and friends of the Comrades Club got together for an evening of bingo in the Comrades Club on June 20. About 25/30 people attended. During a break for refreshments, the raffle was organised. Everyone is welcome to the club, doors open at 7pm for eyes-down at 7.30pm.
Over 60s Club
On a very warm Friday afternoon on June 23, members of the club met in The Pavilion. Ruth Ginn welcomed everyone before introducing Laurie and Philip Green who have both been keen members of the Ely Brass Band for 53 years.
After lots of research into the history of Ely Brass bands going back to 1800s, Laurie had put together a very detailed and interesting illustrated talk entitled ‘History of Ely Bands, during which she spoke to the members.
She also spoke about her great-great grandfather Thomas Denton who was a member of a band in 1910. The Ely Band of today was formed in 1960, mainly brass and wind, with only men and boys.
Philip is the group’s musical director. Ruth gave the vote-of-thanks. Refreshments were served and Richard Badcock organised the raffle and also gave out the announcements, including the forthcoming mystery tour on Friday, July 7.
This starts from Pratt Street at 9am and will pick up at stops through the town. The singing of the club hymn brought the meeting to a close.
Yvonne Long
Soham Correspondent
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