Patrons Newsletter No. 24
                                            February 2012

                                    

An appeal to all Patrons
  
On March 9th at Sketty Primary School, the choir is giving a concert in aid of "Help For Heroes". To make this concert a success, in providing much needed funds for this very worthy charity, we need "Bums on seats". Please do your utmost to attend.

7pm. March 9th Sketty Primary School. Tickets from any chorister or pay at the door.


And now for happenings since the last newsletter.    


The Rochester Experience (Edwards Coach Trip)
Friday 2nd December. The day had arrived for the long awaited trip to Rochester. We boarded the feeder coach at Llansamlet with great excitement. (Just like a group of children on a school outing). At Cardiff West we met our very comfortable coach for the rest of the journey. (One member of the choir kept us entertained for most of the long travelling time.
The hotel, which was situated near the main road, was of a high standard.
On Saturday the coach dropped us in Rochester. There were coaches, cars and people everywhere you looked
It was like stepping back in time to the world that Dickens would have experienced. The long main street of small old     
fashioned shops, with their wares displayed on the pavements, provided many hours of browsing.
Ladies and gentlemen in their authentic costumes stood around talking to visitors. The Cathedral choir sang well known carols and encouraged others to join in.
The mayor, lords, ladies, maids, children. workers and poor people (all dressed for the part) formed parades.
  These took place throughout the day. There were also characters from "A Christmas Carol" and "Great Expectations". To add, even more atmosphere, we were showered by 'snow'. A perfect Christmas Card scene.
Late afternoon, behind the Catherdral and in front of the castle. a huge gathering of people amassed. Each individual trying to get close to the brass band ready for the final rendering of		  
well loved carols. The snow fell over us and everyone sang with great enthusiasm.
Although it was a very tiring day it was a wonderful experience.
On our return trip we enjoyed some retail therapy at the Great Western Shopping Outlet just outside Swindon.      


Craft Fayre
On November 5th we held a Craft Fayre at Bishop Gore School. Pamela Duffy did a great job organizing everything (with help from Fred, when necessary).Traditionally there were stalls selling cakes, jewellery, cards & gifts. One new table had small Xmas trees decorated with sweets and chocolates - fascinating - (one of our choristers, obviously very artistic).
The stalwarts were selling raffle tickets and serving soup, tea, coffee and cake. Thanks girls, your hard work earned the choir (together with money from the crafters) the sum of £506. Well done. 
 

Bellway Homes

Something new was ventured on Saturday November 19th. We were asked to sing, for 2 hours, at the opening of a new housing development - Bellway Homes, Llais Tawe, Swansea. We had visions of standing outside, in the cold, but indeed it was more than warm enough in a large office. The audience, though small, was appreciative and we were served with a variety of party food and drinks.
The choir enjoyed themselves - good practice for our Christmas concert, but there were many "oohs and aahs" as the ladies flexed their aching feet.
  		  


Christmas Charity Concert

Our Annual Christmas Charity Concert took place at St Paul's Church, Sketty on December 8th. The chosen charity was the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and we were honoured by the presence of the Lord Mayor Councillor Ioan Richards and the Lady Mayoress Mrs Iris Williams.
As usual, Excelsior was given a big boost by the Sketty Primary School Choir, under the baton of Lynda Richards. Lynda was very proud to tell everyone about the success of one of the choir - Ethan Bewer-Chappell, aged 11, who, out of over 300 children, was one of the 60 chosen to sing in "Only Kids Aloud". What a feat!! They will be performing in the Millennium Theatre at the end of March.
Ethan held his own when being teased by our compere - 'Badger' from The Wave.
The choir responded well under the guidance of Dorothy and Lynda and the splendid piano accompaniment from Roger.
The audience also played their part - ladies singing the 'page' in Good King Wenceslas and men singing the 'king'. We did suggest to Dorothy that the men could benefit if she formed a men's choir!!
The concert was followed by our usual festive supper.
The result of the evening was £1500 for the RNLI.   


Party Time

  
At last, time to wind down! Our Xmas party was held in All Souls Church Hall.
The weather was abysmal but it was warm inside - festively decorated (thanks to Hazel) with plenty of food and drinks. We all enjoyed ourselves and the raffle and tombola made "a few bob" for the choir.
The concert, the party and Christmas to look forward to - what a nice way to end 2011.
 
 
Forthcoming Events
  

4th February                       William Hill Welsh Champion Hurdle Race Meeting at Ffos Las Racecourse.

8th February                       Student Award (SELCSA) first audition at St Paul's Church, Sketty

9th March                            Music Through the Decades concert at Sketty Primary School

28th April                             Fund raising concert at Hillfarrance Church, Taunton

30th June                             Annual Concert St Paul's Church Sketty               

6th December                      Christmas Charity Concert at St Paul's Church, Sketty



Choir Website

Please visit the choir website for all up to date information at

                                          www.swanseaelchoir.btck.co.uk


And last but certainly not least a great big 'THANK YOU' to all our patrons. it's a costly business buying music, new uniforms & paying for our rehearsal hall. Your contributions help 'keep the wolf from the door'.   

If we can support any special charity of yours, please let us know - ring our Secretary, Linda Jones on  01792 893747.