newsletter > Spring 2003 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL Dear Friends, The first newsletter of 2003! I hope this finds everyone happy and well. I love the Spring – the time of new birth and it is lovely to see all the buds and flowers coming into bloom. I was very pleased with “Those Kentwood Kids”. I was so proud of every one. They did me proud! All the hard work really paid off and I have booked two nights next year. Needless to say I was completely exhausted afterwards and have decided to take one full day off a week. Working seven days a week is a bit too much I think, but it’s lovely to enjoy your work as much as I do. I am now working for the May concert. We have some super guests called HUM DRUM - something very different! The big show in November will be called “KENTWOOD - THE SHOW”. Again something there for everyone. Happy reading - See you soon. Love Sheila <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> A CHRISTMAS THANK YOU WITH MUCH LOVE FROM JENNI AND ALL AT THE REFUGE. CHRISTMAS 2002. (with apologies to the chorus from “Mistletoe & Wine”) Christmas time, mistletoe and wine, Children crying, Mum’s life on the line; Toys smashed by the fire, tree on the floor – Makes you wonder what it’s all for. We know that it happens all too often round here, Even the worst – there’s been two deaths this year; But the Refuge is open twenty-four hours a day, To provide a place where families can stay. The bricks and the mortar, crockery and chair, We can make sure that it is all there; But without your support and all that you send, That’s all the families would have to help mend. But friends of the Refuge did us proud yet once more, With food and goodies and presents galore; Mince pies and tinned salmon, turkeys and cream, Crackers and chocolates like you’ve never seen. Presents for the children – all ages were met; Gifts for the mums – their eyes were so wet. Sadness was banished – joy here to stay – With so many smiles around on Christmas Day. A party will take place, but not ‘til New Year, For all the children who’ve ever been here, A present we’ll give them – our best wishes too, And tell them the party is all thanks to you! Cash and cheques that were given will keep us going next year, And help us make sure the Refuge is here For all those who come – whatever their creed; We’ll try to make sure we suit every need. So thank you to everyone who helped in this way; Our gratitude’s endless – what more can we say? Your kindness, it means so very much to everyone; You made Christmas for so many such fun! Christmas time, mistletoe and wine, Frightened families had a good time; With all your donations – you couldn’t do more – Now we really do know what it’s all for! <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> A LETTER FROM IVOR AND JANET PORTER OF BRISTOL. DECEMBER 2002 Dear Sheila and Chris, Just a note to say a big thank you to you and the Kentwood Choir for the wonderful concerts you have produced for us throughout this year. We only became patrons a few years ago after having seen you in Bath as guests of the Silver Ring Choir. How lucky we were to be at that concert and to hear the Kentwood Choir. Words will never be able to express how we feel when we come out from one of your concerts. We always feel so uplifted and feel that we wont everyone we know to see you. This year we have been to the annual concert in April, to the church in Marlborough, the Royal Albert Hall with Cleo and John Dankworth, the November Show which was magnificent and the Christmas Cracker in the presence of Her Majesty!! We enjoy all types of music and you certainly provide us with that. Each show is always different and each performance shows a very very high standard in all aspects. Your dedication and hard work are very evident and very much appreciated. We just wish you had a videotape so that we could enjoy seeing the Choir as well as listening to them on CDs. We would like to take this opportunity of wishing you both and the Choir a very successful New Year and we look forward to future concerts in 2003 starting with ‘Those Kentwood Kids’ on 22 February 2003. Thanks again. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> REVIEW OF ‘THOSE KENTWOOD KIDS’ WYVERN THEATRE TALENTED JUNIOR CHOIR ALWAYS COME UP TRUMPS I feel very slightly humble as I sit down to write this review. I don’t quite know why, but I think it has something to do with watching a group of children and young adults who quite frankly are second to none. From the youngest member to the oldest, their stage discipline and talent is astonishing. Over 80 young people coming onto and going off the stage with professionalism and staging that was never out of place. The singing was exceptional. These young people are taught that every word must be heard and every note true and they were, from soloists, duets to youth choir and ensemble numbers. How do you single out anyone from this tremendous talent? They all had that special something. But five-year-old Alice Dixon with ‘Castle on a Cloud’ from Les Miserable made a big impression on me. This little darling got to every note, including those low notes that seemed impossible – a star in the making I think. Another favourite of mine was Susannah Arnold and her rendition of the new version of ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’. Guest singer Christine Bean has the kind of voice that frankly makes you wonder why she hasn’t given up her day job. Sheila Harrods and the Kentwood Choir will continue for many years to come. Ros Hollands - The Evening Advertiser <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> “THOSE KENTWOOD KIDS” A chaperone’s lot…………………… My story starts in November last year when Sheila dropped the bombshell – would I chaperone the Junior choir at their show in February? Actually, I think it was more like “you are going to chaperone the Junior choir in February” but my memory’s a bit hazy! My first thoughts were “who will be daft enough to help me” – Gill’s name was the first to pop into my head! – only joking Gill. By the end of the November show I had managed to recruit seven ladies from the choir to help me – I must have caught them in a moment of weakness. February was soon upon us. Several of the “volunteers” attended the first major rehearsal and Lydia, helped by Ann (who is a veteran at this), made extensive notes about the staging – thank you Lydia and Ann. It was at the final rehearsal at Stratton when most of the chaperones were there that I thought – oh my goodness, what have we let ourselves in for! The show was of such a high standard and everyone had worked so hard and it was now down to us to make sure they all got on stage at the right time. David Jones was there to note down who needed radio mikes – which seemed to be a awful lot of them - and several of the children would need quick changes back stage. It was going to take a lot of organisation. The day of the show came and we arrived at the Wyvern bright and early (well early anyway!) It wasn’t until the children started arriving that we realised how many changes of costume they had! The afternoon rehearsal went very well apart from a few mad panics to get radio mikes on and a couple of children not quite changed in time and going on without their socks/shoes. The children all went home for their tea at about 5.15 pm, which gave us a chance to recuperate at The Savoy for our tea and then back to the Wyvern for 6.30 pm to do it all over again. The curtain went up at 7.30 pm and the show flew by without a hitch with the children behaving extremely well back stage and performing brilliantly on stage. I finally got home at 10.45 pm, exhausted, but very proud to have been a small part of such a wonderful show. I would like to thank all my partners in crime – Lydia Gough, Heather Gee, Gill May, Debbie Webb, Sheila Huntley, Nicola Parsons and Yvonne Walker – I couldn’t have done it without you. I’d also like to say that having chaperoned a show now it makes you realise what a great job Wendy Rumbold and her team do every year at the Kentwood shows – I hope we did her proud. One final word to Sheila – I think I’m going on holiday next February!!! Carolyn Curtis <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> POPULAR CHOIR CUTS LOCAL APPEARANCES Those of you who live in or around Swindon may have seen the above headline in the local press. The article said that: “Choir supremo Sheila Harrod is cutting down on the number of concerts given by the Kentwood singers because she fears over exposure. The Choir has had concert tours of the United States, Germany, Spain, Romania, Norway, Austria and Poland, appeared with John Dankworth and Cleo Laine at a Jubilee concert at the Royal Albert Hall, sung for Princess Diana and appeared on the Bob Monkhouse show. According to Sheila’s husband Chris who is the choir’s treasurer, it has also raised an average of more than £30,000 a year for charity. Now it plans to accept no more than three Swindon bookings a month, but its three annual gala shows at the Wyvern Theatre are already booked for next year. Sheila, who next year will celebrate her 60th birthday and the choir’s 40th anniversary, said: ‘Up to last year we have been doing as many as five concerts a month, though not all of them have been in Swindon. At one time we were doing three a week, but now we have decided we can’t do so many shows on our own in our home town’”. This caused something of a furore among some local people. I can say with certainty that the majority of choirs throughout the UK usually perform up to only twelve concerts a year. They also take a period off during the summer months and over Christmas and the New Year period. Swindon audiences are not being short-changed by the Kentwood Choir who, in the 39 years of its existence, rehearse and perform up to thirty two public concerts throughout the year. In addition to these we have our Wyvern Shows, we visit homes for the elderly, and perform at private functions etc. Yvonne Walker Founder Member and Editor of the Newsletter