When a lot happens in a short space of time it leaves us wondering if there can be anything left TO happen, doesn’t it? June felt a little like that. Take the Open Garden Squares Weekend1 which combined taking part in a London-wide event with the Junior Choir Prom and the Churches Together in Hampstead Evensong – and all in blistering heat. Only a week later we had the Summer Nights concert featuring the Junior Choir, Community Choir and Hampstead Players. And the next day had to say goodbye to Diana as she set off for Woburn Sands and only our gladness that she has found a parish that so clearly delights her eased the sadness of the parting. Her final sermon is printed below. And we look forward to attending the Installation at St Michael’s Woburn Sands on 18th July.
A more joyful event, for those of us who remember Liz Brown, our youth worker a few years ago, happens/has happened (depending on when you’re reading this) on 1st July. I safely predict a packed cathedral as candidates from across the diocese are ordained at St Paul’s.
The first ten days of July wrap themselves neatly round the Hampstead Players’ production of Pygmalion and the choir’s last Sunday of the term – farewells to them to be said after Evensong on 9th, hopefully in the vicarage garden, though those are words almost guaranteed to bring on the rain! Their farewell to us will be sung with Madrigals and Pimms, whatever the weather (free to Friends of the Music but a small charge for others).
After that things do settle down a bit – until August bursts on us with Holiday in Hampstead. If you haven’t experienced this do have a look at the details further on in this issue and book yourself a place. It really is great fun.
We have our usual round of Wednesday events – Lunchtime concerts on 5th July and 2nd August, Literary hours on 19th July and 16th August – and one Knit and Natter (12th July) but not in August because it comes during the Holiday in Hampstead week. I wonder if anyone took up the Twiddlemuff suggestion made in this magazine earlier in the year? I delivered 6 to the Royal Free Hospital a few weeks ago and was taken aback by their delighted response so please, if you are making any, or making 6″ squares, keep up the good work – it is SO much appreciated.
July and August
Judy East