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April 2023 April 2023

NIGHTWALK....CHASING SHADOWS LOCAL CHOIR NEWS

Leaving the hypnotic silver stream and its ghostly News from Briantspuddle Singers
river mist behind me I strike out across Mays Wood.
The full moon now high in the clear night sky casts Following our successful Christmas programme, we are now rehearsing with our
me in long shadow on the grassy path ahead. conductor Michael Moorsom for our Summer Concert. This will be held in the
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Passing through the gated enclosure of Mays Village Hall at Briantspuddle, on Saturday 20 May, starting at 3.00pm. It will be an
Wood I bear left up the ancient holloway to Black occasion to celebrate the coronation of our new King, and will include music
Hill. Despite the claustrophobic nature of the from Queen Elizabeth’s coronation along with Mozart’s Coronation Mass,
tunnel of trees woven overhead the moon lights followed by a cream tea. Everyone is invited to attend, there is no charge,
the way. although donations towards the expenses would be very welcome.
The bare trees of winter allowing plenty of light to The choir meets every Tuesday evening in the Village Hall, new members are
filter through. I tread softly, feeling each footstep always welcome. If you are interested, please phone Andrea or just come along
down. The path is littered with twigs and avoiding on a Tuesday evening at 7.30pm.
snapping one with a clumsy footstep is vital. Andrea Smith (01929471412)
Since entering the holloway I was aware of being
watched.
As I passed from the gate to the path I had seen two sika in the moonlight on the
wide strip of grass that runs parallel between the Mays Wood fence and the path Choral Evensong in Affpuddle
to Black Hill. They are often there at night and tonight was no exception. As I As part of the parish's Coronation celebrations, the Barn Choir, directed by
silently went I could hear them tracking me from above, occasionally I would Richard Hall, will be presenting a Choral Evensong at St Laurence's, Affpuddle on
glimpse them between the trees. When I stop they stop, as they try to identify the Wednesday 3rd May at 5.30 pm. The music will be drawn mainly from the 17th
intruder in their world. I will encounter many more before the night is over. and 18th centuries and will include several works performed at Coronation

Services of that period.
The holloway behind me I pass through the gate and enter the ancient
woodland, the trees tower overhead their bare branches casting shadows in the Come and join us and have a glass wine and some nibbles afterwards!
moonlight. Much as I love late Spring and early Summer when they are
magnificent in their colour there is something about ancient trees in Winter. With
their bare bones exposed we see their soul. Gnarly, crooked branches taking
torturous routes to reach skyward, awaiting Spring to stir from their slumber again.
Walking on up through the wood I continue to tread softly. Looking up as I walk Choral Services and Musical Events at St Peter’s Church,
the bare trees make it easy to spot roosting pheasants. Dorchester during April

I have found if you keep walking they will stay put, silently watching from above. Music at St Peter’s will be presenting two events during April. Firstly, on Good
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But stop below them and all hell will break loose as they scatter with that familiar Friday 7 April at 6pm there will be a performance of Stainer’s ‘Crucifixion’. The
pheasant cry of alarm, warning every nocturnal animal within a mile of danger choir will be accompanied by the organist Chris Dowie and we welcome Colin
and causing roosting pigeons to join them in the confusion. Howard and Stefan Oakes as tenor and bass soloists. The performance is offered
Passing through the woodland I reach Devils Stone. I always stop here, lean on as an act of worship, so admission is free and all are welcome.
the gleaming moonlit stone and look down on the Piddle valley below. On a night Later in the month on Saturday 22 April, Choral Evensong for Easter will take
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like tonight with the full moon and a million twinkling stars above the view is truly place at 4.30pm. The music includes: Parry ‘My soul there is a country’, Sumsion
magical, enhanced by just the sounds of the night. No growling tanks on training ‘Preces & Responses’, Howells ‘Gloucester Service’ and Stanford ‘Ye choirs of new
manoeuvres to spoil it tonight, though the light pollution from Bovington Camp Jerusalem’. Graham Scott is at the organ and Ian Davis directing. Do join us for a
lights the horizon to the south. glass of wine after the service.

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