An article about the Burma concert? Of course, it’s very important to record what was a very special – and successful evening. And we are happy to write such an article; but the problem is that we weren’t able to be there. So – how to write about an event we didn’t attend but have heard all about? Perhaps through the words of others then… 

So – what do people remember about the event?

 “A packed church – a real parish event”

“Somebody singing Jerusalem – and some Irish ballads and the songs of Tom Lehrer”

“A masterly version of the Victor Borge piece on musical punctuation by a young performer”

“I particularly liked the story of Albert and the lion – and with a very impressive lion too”

“Two little girls – one of them in the choir – sang beautifully”

“There was Spanish dancing – and a harpist”

“It was the Deputy Mayor’s first engagement”

“The rendition of Nelly the Elephant was superb”

“The lighting effects in the church looked lovely”

“Such adaptability from Karl, who accompanied many of the performers on piano or organ, sometimes without notice”

“The Edge Hill-Billies had such enthusiasm – and when was the last time Wild Rover was sung in church?”

“The new Vicar’s got a great voice”

 And to sum up? 

“The variety of styles and content was amazing”

“So many people turned up even on a grotty pouring-with-rain evening. One very elderly lady came for thirty minutes and stayed for two hours”

“The range of turns and the talents of so many diverse folk”

“Such huge generosity and a variety of ages”

“And cross-denominational too – Anglican, Catholic, Quaker, Methodist and probably more”

“There was a wonderful feeling of camaraderie and goodwill”

 Perhaps the final word should go to Rev John Hayward, with our thanks to him for coming up with the idea in the first place: “The variety of styles and content, and involvement of a wide range of ages under one roof in a shared community endeavour for the good of others, was great to see.” 

So – 39 performers, a full church audience including lots of newcomers to the building, a three hour evening of entertainment and £4094 raised for those affected by the Burma typhoon; a memorable event indeed. I wish we’d been able to be there…

Chris and Hazel Abbott

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