SocietySt Michael’s College Society
Newsletter 2001
The victorious SMC Society XI of 2000
Contents:
Website Update
Forthcoming Music At St Michael’s
"Remember When The College Closed?"
It was very good to see so many members of the Society at last year’s reunion. It was a glorious sunny day – ideal for cricket but not for the reeds on the organ! More singers than usual turned up to sing in the choir for Evensong including some members of the Bromyard Choral Society. It was entirely fitting that we should have sung Ouseley’s Evening service in E flat for men’s voices as the reunion fell on the 175th anniversary of the Founder’s birth. This setting had not seen the light of day for many years and has never been published. I would like us to sing it again this year together with the Founder’s anthem "Jerusalem on High" from his oratorio Hagar. This was regularly sung at Commem. If any wives or lady friends of members can sing and would like to join the choir they would be most welcome as this anthem is in 4 parts.
The idea of holding the dinner at the Fountain Inn was an experiment, which if successful would allow us to hold the reunion earlier in July as we were restricted when using the College hall. The committee felt that the experiment worked and having had no negative comments we are repeating last year’s arrangements. We have chosen an earlier date in July so that hopefully more members are able to attend.
In the three weeks since the appeal was launched for funds to assist in the restoration of the Ouseley portrait, over £500 has been donated for which we are all most grateful. The appeal will remain open until the reunion to allow members to donate if they have not already done so.
I am arranging for the five Fellows boards, which used to be in the College hall, to be mounted properly in wooden frames and hung in the passage in church at the back of the organ. I hope this will be completed in time for the reunion.
We welcome the Venerable Ted Thomas as our Guest Speaker this year. He was chaplain at St Michael’s in the 50s and has had a distinguished career in the church culminating in his position as Archdeacon of Wells. I know he has a fund of amusing anecdotes to recount.
Finally my thanks to our indefatigable secretary Tim Coles for doing all the work, producing the Newsletter and making all the necessary arrangements for the reunion and to John Pepper for so ably looking after the Society’s finances.
Michael Hart
There were a number of progressive changes in the format of the 2000 Reunion which everyone who attended seemed to approve of. The running order for the Saturday was changed so that the AGM followed immediately after the cricket.
Dinner
For the first time in recent years the dinner was held outside the College at the Fountain Inn just across the Common. This was done to get over the issue with catering which had been a regular bugbear in recent years. Over 60 people attended the dinner and the new format allowed for everyone to retire easily to the bar afterwards for a post meal drink.
Evensong
Once again the Old Boys turned out in force both to form a choir and swell the congregation for the traditional Evensong. This year the service was Ouseley’s Evening Service in E flat for men’s voices.
Michael Hart, our President, played the organ.
Cricket
Revenge! Following the previous year’s disappointment of painful defeat at the hands of the St Michael’s Village XI, the SMCS team bounced back to score a noteable and thrilling victory late in the day. The SMCS team were indebted to the valiant rearguard efforts of Ben Turner who entered the fray at number 11 with the match in the balance. He proceeded to club a straight four to take the spoils and put the SMC Society 2-1 up in the series of matches against the Village.
Golf
Yet again the SMC Society Golf Challenge at Kington was snatched by Ian Holland after a tense day-long battle against fatigue and the elements. Resolute challenger James "Egg" Mealings, searching for his first tournament victory after almost a decade and a half of toil, was on course to finally end his quest when a shattering triple bogey seven on the key 16th hole finally ended his charge for the trophy. He was finally forced to accept a share of second with Richard Pepper who put in a sterling round. The wooden spoon was lifted by Andrew Walters and graciously accepted amidst much mirth at the post game dinner in Lyonshall.
School dinners – any familiar faces
?
Science lessons with Brian Demaus……..BANG!!
Forthcoming Music at St Michael’s
Sunday 10th June 10.00am Sung Eucharist
The Hereford Wye Singers
Director: Michael Eveleigh
Saturday 16th June 3.00pm Worcester Organists Society
Visitors Welcome
Sunday 24th June 10.00am Sung Eucharist
3.00pm Choral Evensong
The Orrishmere Singers
Director: Bernard Crosby
Saturday 7th July 2.00pm Shrewsbury Organists Society
Visitors Welcome
Saturday 14th July 6.30pm Evensong
St Michael’s College Society Choir
Annual Reunion Service
Saturday 21st July 7.00pm Organ Recital
Simon Holt
Organist and Choirmaster, Calvary Church, Stonington, Connecticut, U.S.A.
Saturday 8th September 7.00pm Organ Recital
Roger Judd Assistant Organist, St. Georges Chapel, Windsor
Saturday 15th September 10.00am Gloucestershire Organists Assn.
Until 12.00 noon Visitors Welcome
4.00pm Choral Evensong
Choir of St Peter’s Collegiate Church,
Ruthin. Director: Phillip Smith
Sunday 16th September 10.00am Sung Eucharist
3.00pm Choral Evensong
The Grafton Singers
Director: John Richardson
Sunday 30th September 10.00am Sung Eucharist
3.00pm Choral Evensong
PATRONAL FESTIVAL The Elysian Singers
Director: Paul Richards
Saturday 13th October 4.30pm Choral Evensong
Royal School of Church Music Cathedral Singers
Director: Alan Harwood
Sunday 14th October 10.00am Sung Eucharist
3.00pm Choral Evensong
Malvern Girls College Choir
Director: David Evans
Sunday 11th November 10.00am Remembrance Sunday
Sung Eucharist
The Hereford Church Singers
Director: Richard Popple MBE
Saturday 17th November 7.00pm The Messiah
The Midlands Chorale
Organist: Michael Hart
Director: Margaret Oakley
Saturday 15th December 6.30pm Carol Service
The Birmingham University Singers
Director: John Whenham
Sunday 16th December 6.00pm Sung Eucharist
3.00pm Choral Evensong
The Birmingham University Singers
Director: John Whenham
Programmes: All payable at the door
Organ Recitals: £5.00 (concessions £3.00)
Messiah: £7.00
Proceeds of Concerts and Recitals in aid of Church Funds.
Lawrence Bayley We are delighted to announce the birth of Elisha Faye Bayley, Lawrence and Helen’s first child.
Kirsty William (nee Holland) is now living and working in Bournemouth
Anthony Drew is now working in the printing industry in Leeds
Nick Weston has taken over the running of Cadmore Lodge, Tenbury Wells
James Mealings is still working in contract catering in the canteen at the Defence Research Agency, near Malvern
Obits:
We are sorry to report the deaths of the following members,
E M W (Michael) Oldroyd, assistant master and singer in the choir for many years died on 22nd May this year
Ian A Slater (Jock) died on September 15th 2000. A memorial service was held at St Michael’s Church
John Patrick Criswell, aged 71 died on 20th October 2000. Patrick was Head Chorister during his time at the College
Michael Andrew Alvis died on 11th February 2001, aged 79. Michael like his elder brother John, who died some years ago, was a chorister
The Editors would welcome any up to date news of Old Boys for inclusion in next year’s Newsletter.
"Remember when the College closed?"
In 1985, the closure of St Michael's, although fiercely opposed by most, was an event to remember. From a musical perspective, there were various happenings which recorded the important role the college had played over the years.
Three services were held, comprising two evensongs, and a Sunday 10.00 service.
We can now offer you the chance to re-visit the music of these final services, with this proposal.
We intend to release an exclusive CD of the Music of St Michael's. Money from the sale of each CD will be used by the society for projects such as the restoration of the Ouseley painting.
We wanted to mention this now, so as to gauge reaction from members and friends of the Society. Do let us know if you think it would be a good idea, and we will have more details at the AGM in July.
William Jenkyns
1971 Percussion Lessons
Recognise any of the gardeners?
What year? What production?
The agenda for the weekend is as follows,
Time Venue
10.30am Cricket College Cricket Field
1pm Lunch Picnic / Fountain Inn
2pm Cricket Resumes
4.00pm Cricket Finishes
4.30pm AGM College Library
5.45pm Choir Practice St Michael’s Church
6.30pm Choral Evensong St Michael’s Church
7.30pm (for 7.45pm) Reunion Dinner Fountain Inn, Oldwood
Sunday Golf Challenge Kington Golf Club
Dinner
Vegetarians need to make themselves known prior to the start of the meal and they will be offered the vegetarian menu.
Evensong
Setting - Ouseley in E flat for men’s voices
Anthem - Jerusalem on high (Ouseley)
Please let Michael Hart know if you will be singing in the choir. Michael Hart, The Threshing House, Bockleton, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8PP, 01568 750544
Cricket
As ever we are keen to hear from anyone who would like to join the SMC Society team. Previous experience not necessary!
Golf
We will once again be returning the spiritual home of the Golf Challenge at Kington and anyone interesting in joining the fun would be made most welcome. This will be held on the Sunday and will culminate in an informal meal and presentation of trophies in a nearby hostelry.
Any Questions:
Should you have any questions about any of the arrangements please get in touch with me on 01584 823 209.
The number of the Tenbury Wells Tourist Information Centre is 01584 810136, and they can provide details on accommodation in the area. If you would like any advice on accommodation I would also be delighted to help.
PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN YOUR RESERVATION SLIP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE LOOK
FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE !
Tim Coles