BIBLE FESTIVAL 2011
A community
concert started the ball rolling on Friday night and, apart from the three
choirs, which on occasions gathered together as “The Festival Choir”, there
were a number of very talented young instrumentalists.
In the first half, harpist Phoebe Saych, playing pieces from “Minstrel's Gallery”,
Violinist Tavia Lewis with Elgar's “Chanson de Matin,” followed and flautist
Natasha Hobson performed a haunting Chanson from Rutter's “Suite Antique”.
The massed School recorders, conducted by Mrs Barr, performed several pieces ending with
“Is this the way to Amarillo?” which involved a certain amount of cheerful
audience participation.
After the presentation of the Art Competition prizes
presented by Liz Street, (see right) Wellesbourne Primary school Choir sang
selections from “Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat”, obviously enjoying
every minute of it.
They were followed by two young ladies, Alice Harvey & Chloë Halliwell playing the
duet “La Camparsita”, on violin and ’cello, soprano Juliet Wallace sang Fauré's
“Claire de Lune” and Joshua Shortman brought the house down with his crystal
clear rendering of “Zu Hause” on descant recorder.
Altogether a most enjoyable occasion.
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Saturday saw the opening of the exhibition proper. Many Bibles from many lands in many
languages, of many ages. The children were entranced by the scriptorium and,
under the expert guidance of Kate Skinner and others, managed to produce a fair
copy of some lettering, using, among other things, a quill pen. There were
stalls aplenty and Chedham's Yard put on a great craft exhibition. If you've
ever wanted to make a basket, use a pole-lathe or even try spinning your own
wool, this was the place to learn. Outside was a master mason carving a gargoyle
and lots of people stayed for a chat.
On Sunday Richard Cooke galloped through the Bible in 20 minutes, the bellringers
rang a quarter peal in celebration and in the evening a well-filled Church
heard Cantamus singing and marvelled at the sheer power of the human voice.
Throughout all this our brave ladies wielded the teapot and served luscious cakes,
proving that talent extends far beyond the arts.
Altogether a rare and most exhilarating weekend from which some of us are still recovering.
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