Churchill Music!
I hope that you are all fully recovered from the antics of Christmas and New Year - and oh my goodness what an amazing year it is
already proving to be. I have heard the first few snippets of our new choral commission celebrating the Olympic and Paralympic values and all I can say is that it is utterly brilliant. Just the music alone is inspiring.
Re Churchill Young Musician of the Year: Please don't forget to get your tickets from Ursula (01934 852919). Catherine Freda - Head of Education at St.George's Bristol is going to be giving out the prizes. It will be a great evening, so if you haven't yet booked, please do so.
Now for the main purpose of this letter: the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra has sent the following details about their concert at the Colston Hall on 11 February. Just a little reminder that you just need to say that you are a Champion of Churchill Music! when you book and you can get up to four tickets per champion at 30% discount. Those who went to the Wassail concert in December gave hugely positive feedback and had a brilliant time, so do please think about this one.
Spring into March with Metropolitan Brass at Churchill Music! Saturday 10 March 7.30pm St. John's Church, Churchill
As bold as brass, this brilliant young quintet of two trumpets, French horn, trombone and tuba add an impassioned sparkle to Churchill Music!'s Spring concert. Holding centre stage with captivating and dynamic performances of new and classic brass quintet repertoire, theirs is an all-round showmanship of the highest order, the best of British brass playing?
'A vibrant sound … a freshness of approach … a sure sense of style.' RNCM Festival of Brass.
Tickets: Champions £9.50; Nonchampions £13.50; Under 18's £4.00 From: Ursula Dornton 01934852919.
Your 'Transport of Delight' (Minibuses) will be running so please contact Alison Robbie 01934 862953 to reserve your place on the bus.
Further information Jan Murray 01934 852245 or
info@churchillmusic.org.uk
www.churchillmusic.org.uk
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A New Year Resolution for Musicians: dust off your instrument and start playing again. The East Harptree Orchestra has reformed and welcomes all comers. The Orchestra rehearses on alternate Fridays in East Harptree Village Hall from 7.30 to 9pm
For further details contact Sue Daniels: 01934 853031
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Police Choir concert
On Saturday 3 December the Rotary Club of Wrington Vale hosted a packed audience for a concert by the award winning Avon and Somerset Constabulary Male Voice Choir at All Saints' Church, Wrington.
The choir were joined by the ladies choir, Miscellany. The programme was as varied as it was uplifting in such an atmospheric venue with the men performing, amongst many other songs, the Anthem from Chess, a medley from Paint Your Wagon and the popular American Trilogy.
Miscellany Choir included The Wraggle Taggle Gypsies and Fields Of Gold amongst the 9 songs that they sang.
The event was organised by the Rotary Club to raise funds toward this year's President's Fund, so called because the Club President for the year nominates the charity or charities to which the funds will be donated. This year's president, Ivor Metherell, has chosen Friends of Bristol Eye Hospital in recognition of the excellent treatment that his family has received there and the Hospital's continuing good work. The concert is expected to raise at least £1,400 towards this good cause and will be added to other funds raised during the year, principally from the raffle at the club's weekly meeting.
The Rotary Club of Wrington Vale meets weekly at The Burrington Inn. If you would like to know more about Rotary please call our President, Ivor Metherell on 01761 462607
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Trekking up Kilimanjaro by Leah Senington
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was a challenge, but I was somewhat under-prepared for the emotional and physical obstacles that I had to face on the journey to the summit. I decided to take it on following the diagnosis of my brother's fiancée, Debbie Scull, with terminal cancer. I persuaded the travel company I had a good level of fitness to reduce the usual 12 month preparation guideline
to just three: now it was time to convince myself.
I began with morning walks around Wrington, lunchtime strolls around Blagdon Lake and evening rambles across the Mendips. I must thank all of my walking companions, and especially my mum who was responsible for dragging me out of bed at six on dark winter mornings.
Happy with my body, I focused my attention on fundraising. I decided on a Charity Auction in November. I was taken aback by the generosity of local businesses and individuals who kindly donated fantastic prizes for the auction; special thanks to Butcombe
Brewery who ensured that no-one went thirsty on the night.
As the auction grew near, I received a huge personal blow. My best friend had suffered with Cystic Fibrosis all her life, so regular stints in hospital were not unusual. However, this time we were told it was one infection too many. She sadly passed away four days later; the day before the Auction. Luckily my friends and family performed what can only be described as miracles to ensure that the night went ahead.
The Auction itself was not only a great success, but great fun, with toetapping music from the Redhillbillies. The turnout was
fantastic, with double the numbers expected; it was a real illustration of the support for Debbie and for me.
The Auction over, I focused on training, and before I knew it I was on the way to Tanzania surrounded by a group of 26 like-minded people. The trekking began immediately with a gentle climb on the first day, which was comparable to scaling Ben Nevis. We were surrounded by the most amazing scenery, but it was the people around us who made a lasting impression - the porters and the guides. After four days we made it to the final base camp, which for many was the last step, due to the severe onset of altitude sickness.
Fortunately, my body was in good shape and oxygen levels above average. I was woken at midnight, after just three hours sleep, to take on the biggest challenge I have ever faced. The weather was -20°C so my head torch stopped working within the first hour, and my water froze shortly after; it is at this point that the fatigue and altitude hit you hard.
Every step is a step too far as your body struggles to process the oxygen; light headed and exhausted I struggled on, following my
guide's footsteps and rhythm. Then I reached deep and recalled the fond memories of the two people I had lost, and the
extraordinary efforts everyone had gone to in order to support me in the challenge. Lost in these thoughts I continued until the dawn broke on the snow-capped mountain, and I knew there was no turning back now.
As I neared the summit, the surroundings became a blur. My focus became solely on one foot in front of the other, until the green
summit sign drew into vision. It was at this point that contrasting emotions began to hit; one of elation and one of sadness for those lost friends.
I would like to thank everyone who supported me through this challenge with generous donations, words of support and encouragement, including the companies that offered me direct sponsorship in this unsteady economic climate, namely Butcombe Brewery, Bristol Water and Yeo Valley Lions, all of whom have helped to raise £5,500 for Cancer Research.
I chose to take on Kilimanjaro as a dedication to Debbie's strength, bravery and courage during her gruelling fight with cancer. She was a wonderful person whose memory will remain within our hearts. If you have been touched by this story and would like to donate to Cancer Research please visit my just giving page - <http://www.justgiving.com/KilimanjaroDec2011>.
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