RAFA Hamble Club

Hamble Social Club
2:00 pm

Entertaining at Christmas Party

Haskins Garden Centre

Haskins Garden Centre
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Charity Singing at Haskins Garden Centre to raise
money for Countess Mountbatten.

Christmas Concert

Hedge End Village Hall
See Below

To a festive scenery of candy canes, snowmen and sparkly lights, the New Music Makers joyously sang their Christmas offering to their audiences at Hedge End Village Hall. 

This year’s concerts, were a great success, from the wonderfulForesthall School of Dancing Irish Dancers in their beautiful costumes,Alecs amazingly accomplished rendition of ‘Oh Holy Night’ (which provoked many a tear, it was so touching), to the New Music Makers themselves.

A packed programme included favourites such as ‘Walking in the Air’, The First Noel Pachabel, Angels’ Carol and Grandma got run over by a Reindeer, to name but a few.  Two contrasting medleys proved most popular – the upbeat, jazzy ‘Swing into Christmas’, and the gospel/blues piece ‘What a Wonderful Child’.  In contrast, the ladies’ piece ‘What is this lovely Fragrance’, arranged by our own Lillian Sediles provided a deliciously quiet, contemplative, choral sound.

The New Music Makers are not without their keen soloists and duos, so we were lucky to hear sung ‘All is Well’ by Pat Jenkins, ‘The Christmas Song’ by father and daughter Rebecca Williams and Keith Henry, ‘Pie Jesu’ by Sandie Farnell and Maggie Jacobs, ‘I Believe by ‘Roy Hogben’ and ‘Hey Mr Snowman’ by Marg Dunne and Sarah Turl, (who even managed to swap presents mid song)! 

The concerts were also interspersed with entertaining readings – ‘The Christmas Cards’, written and delivered (sorry for the pun), by Sharon Thomas and  a poem entitled ‘The Snowman’, chosen and read by Ann Lee, to fit in with the theme of celebrating the 40th anniversary of the publication of Raymond Brigg’s story ‘The Snowman’.

The choir worked very hard this year, to present the lilting ‘Seal Lullaby’ by Eric Whitacre.  The crescendos and decrescendos within the piece give the impression of the coming and going of waves and the entire work is hauntingly hypnotic.

We are pleased to announce that this year’s concerts raised over £147 for our nominated charity ‘Southampton Children’s Hospital Charity’, a most worthwhile cause.

There are many people to thank for the putting on of our concerts –  too many to list, but they know who they are and that their help is very much appreciated.  However, we must say a big “thank you” to Lillian Sedilles, (our Music Director), David Farnell (our Assistant Music Director),Chris Allison, (our Pianist), Martha and Zac (our page turners) and Lin and Chris Kellaway (our Chairlady and ever helpful better half), all of whom are brilliant at what they do. 

Finally, we look forward to presenting a summer concert to you on Saturday 8th June at the Kings Community Church, Hedge End.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Light Up Netley!

St Edwards Church, Netley Abbey
4:00 pm

Social Event Bowling

Hedge End Village Hall
7:30 pm

A busy day for the New Music Makers, singing at Countess Mountbatten’s Christmas Fayre and then out in the evening for one of our Social Events, Skittles. Good fun was had by all, led by Eric Gerrey, he had us all in competition mode. Some of us were rubbish, especially me, but the Turl Family, Isaac, Sarah and Simon, won after a nail biting shoot out. Our booby prize went to Percy and Jenny Knight with Denise. We had a lovely fish and chip supper supplied by Henry’s in Hedge End so all in all a good day

Countess Mountbatten Christmas Fayre

Countess Mountbatten Hospice, Moorgreen Hospital
11:30 am - 12:00 pm

The New Music Makers have kicked of their Christmas journey by singing on Saturday 17th November at Countess Mountbatten’s Christmas Fayre.  It was a very well attended event with lots of lovely stalls full of Christmas presents and decorations.  It was Hilary’s birthday and she said it is the first time she had sung Christmas Carols on her birthday, we ended our slot with a rendition of Happy Birthday To You which everyone joined in with.  I hope this worthwhile Charity made a lot of money on the day.

RAF Battle Of Britain Ceremony

Spitfire Court
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

On Saturday 15th September 2018, Battle of Britain Day, the choir were privileged to be asked to sing at a ceremony to re-dedicate two memorials. One for those who worked at the Supermarine Spitfire factory in Woolston who lost their lives or were seriously injured during the bombings in 1940 and the other to ‘RJ Mitchell’ the designer of the iconic aeroplane.
The short, moving service which was conducted by The Reverend Miles Newton was attended by His Worship the Mayor of Southampton, the President and Chairman of the Itchen and Hamble Branch of RAFA, RAF cadets and standard bearers together with family members and the general public.
Wreaths were laid on the sea wall adjacent to the factory memorial poignantly followed by the haunting sound of a Bugler playing the ‘Last Post’. A 2 minutes silence enabled reflection and then the bugler finished with ‘Revellie’ .
The party then made their way to the refurbished ‘R J Mitchell’ memorial and a further dedication took place Members of the Royal British Legion Motor Cycle Group demonstrated their respect by a ride past, pausing to lay a wreath at the memorial.