Where did Summer Go? New Choir year starts

In addition to typical Choir activities, being part of Eccles Community Choir gives many opportunities to socialize and have fun with a lovely mixture of people in our own special way. We like to keep in touch, and we use emails, Facebook and Whatsapp within the Choir membership. Our social events always include something that would not otherwise be experienced at an individual level.

Choir year runs from September to July, with a ‘break’ in August. However! Over the years, we have had many wonderful opportunities to participate several summer trips abroad which have all involved singing (Germany, Belgium and the Menin Gate, Carnegie Hall USA) and a number of UK based trips. We now have a Trips Fund because these activities are so much a part of the Eccles Community Choir experience. In 2018-19, there was a marvellous trip to a Northern Ireland Music Festival competition – there’s always a new experience on the horizon for the Choir!

Not everyone in the Choir is able to go on the big trips. We have a number of people who are carers, others with health issues, who can find it difficult to get out and about. So, we also try to organise activities that will meet the needs of everyone in Choir. With no big summer trip planned this year, we searched for an outing which would enable as many people as possible to attend. In August, we met up for a group trip to Leighton Hall, the ancestral estate of the Gillow family,  world-renowned furniture makers, who joined forces with a Liverpool firm, resulting in the noted Waring & Gillow manufacturers.

The whole event was really well organised and well-managed. We felt so welcome; Gillow family member, Mrs Reynolds herself greeted us and took time to speak with us.  Our tour guide was so patient and a veritable ‘mine’ of interesting information. There was a highly educational and entertaining birds of prey demonstration and a delicious high tea was served with friendly professionalism; all our various dietary requirements were well catered for.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. I’m sure we will all be recommending Leighton Hall to our friends and to other singers. We have a good number of keen gardeners in the Choir; the beautiful gardens and breath-taking surroundings were also much appreciated.

Of course, the most magical part of our visit was, for us, the opportunity ( with special permission) to sing in the music salon – it was obvious that John loved playing the Steinway grand piano!

Here is a link to a video taken by a friend of the Choir when we sang ‘I’ve Never Been in Love Before’  from Guys and Dolls – sound quality of the recording somewhat limited, but you can see how much we enjoyed ourselves!

We are back at Branwood School for our first practice session of the year (& AGM) on Tuesday 10^th September. If you fancy the idea of singing together for pleasure and friendship and you are considering joining a Choir, you could not do better than joining this one!  Now’s your chance! Come along and give us a try, see what you think. If you would prefer to watch us perform (and maybe sing along?) please check out the Practice Dates & Concerts Dates page of this website –  we love large audiences!