Stour Singers

Shipston-on-Stour’s Choral Society is devoting the forthcoming season to the music of Handel & Haydn. On Saturday 3 December 2011 at 7.30pm a performance of Handel's Messiah will be given in St Edmund's Church, Shipston with the Cherwell Orchestra and distinguished guest artists: Cheryl Rosevear (soprano), Shelley Coulter-Smith (mezzo-soprano), Nicholas Hawker (tenor) and Rodney Clarke (baritone). The conductor, of course, is Richard Emms, the society's founder-director, who has developed the Singers from small beginnings to recognition as a major choral force today. Make a note of the date in your diary now – an opportunity to hear Messiah live in Shipston is a rare treat.

The Spring concert, also in St Edmund's with the Cherwell Orchestra conducted by Richard Emms, is on Saturday 5 May 2012 at 7.30pm. The programme includes Handel's Chandos Anthem No.11 (‘Let God arise’) and the main work is Haydn's Creation Mass, not perhaps as well-known as the oratorio of similar name but very lovely to hear – and to sing. The guest soloists for this event are: Robyn Allegra Parton (soprano), Cathy Bell (mezzo-soprano), Julian Forbes (tenor) and Jon Stainsby (baritone).

Ticket price has been held at £12.50 for this new season (accompanied children free) and tickets may be obtained 4 weeks before each event from choir members, R. Clarke, 27 High Street, Shipston, & at the door on concert days.

Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm in the Community Lounge of Shipston High School, Darlingscote Road, Shipston starting on 8 September 2011. There are vacancies in all 4 voice parts – no auditions! So if you have always wanted to sing Messiah do come along then. It is a friendly choir. Richard Emms has a rare ability to include novices together with experienced singers to everyone's enjoyment so ‘be not afraid’! School students wishing to gain experience of a choral society (with parental consent) are welcomed as members free of charge.

For further details please contact Vic Twyman (choir manager) on tel: 01451 870361.

Charlecote Park

These barn owl chicks in Charlecote Park have been logged and tagged by ornithologists from the Arden ringing group licensed to handle the birds and have a special licence (schedule 1) to handle the owls. Photo by David Lewis. The volunteers also found a tawny owl and little owl, a kestrel and a buzzard nesting in the Park, and nests for kingfisher, tree creeper, and a reed bunting. Wildlife in the park is abundant, with the new fawns becoming less timid and the shorn sheep developing their new hair styles. The Outdoor Theatre, with Heartbreak Productions gave a very entertaining Pinocchio performance and a 1928 version of The Taming of the Shrew, when the threatened rain gave way to a lovely summer evening. Why not join us for “Pride and Prejudice” at 7.30 on 13th August – ring 0844 249 1895 for tickets (Adults £12, children half price).

The “Walk with the Gardener” at 2pm on 27th August is free with entry and needs no advance booking.

The August Tuesday Children’s Club (free with entry, no need to book) has an interesting programme. August 2nd – Wooly workshops, 9th – Bugs and Bees, 16th – Falconry, 23rd – Junk Music and Drumming, 30th – Kineton Quakers, Sheepdog and Ducks.

For further details, please contact Charlecote Park on 01789 470277 or visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-charlecotepark .

Charlecote Passes for Wellesbourne Residents are still available, and are valid for entry to the grounds only on Wednesdays and Thursdays until the end of October, then daily until 1st March – just leave your SAE in the library and allow 10 days for delivery.

Tailpiece

A man died and arriving in heaven was met by St Peter at the pearly gates. St Peter said, “You need one hundred credits to get in: you tell me all the good things you've done, and I will give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach the hundred you can come in.”

"Okay" the man said, thinking back. "I attended church every Sunday."

“That's good,” said St. Peter, “I'll allow two for that.”

"Two points?" he says. "Well, I gave 10% of all my earnings to help those in need."

“Well, let's see,” answered St. Peter, “that's good and worth at least another five. Did you do anything else?”

"Five points? Oh my goodness. Well I did start a soup kitchen in my town and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."

“Fantastic, that's certainly worth another two.”

"Hmmm...," the man went on, "well I was married to the same woman for fifty years and never cheated on her, never even thought about it."

“That's wonderful,” says St. Peter, “that's worth three points!”

"ONLY THREE POINTS!!" the man roared, "At this rate the only way I'm going to get into heaven is by the grace of God!"

“Come on in!”

All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism

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