Dear All Sadly, after this evening’s announcement, it’s not looking promising for the remainder of our rehearsals this term (last one was due to be on 29th June). We’ll keep an eye on guidance in case this changes. No rehearsal tomorrow. Do write to your MP to make your feelings known and don’t forget the petition if you haven’t already…… Read more →

Dear All This is your weekly reminder to hassle your MPs to try to get the guidance for choirs changed. Don’t forget to sign the petition too (two posts below). There has been no change to guidance so no rehearsal this week (8th June). We had rehearsals planned until 29th June so not giving up just yet and will keep…… Read more →

Unfortunately, there has been no change as yet to DCMS guidance restricting rehearsals for amateur choirs. We did not have a rehearsal planned for this week (1st June) anyway as its half term, but we will continue to monitor the guidance and let you know if there is any change ahead of next week, 8th June. As before, please do…… Read more →

Dear All Despite plenty of publicity around this unexplained decision by DCMS, and despite lawyers saying that we are legally able to rehearse despite the guidance, we do not feel that it is appropriate for us to meet tonight. Please do not give up hope! If you have not signed the petition, or written to your MP, please do so.…… Read more →

Hello everyone I hope everyone is doing well. You are probably wondering what is going on with the rehearsal situation. Well, so are we. Choristers across the UK have been busy writing to their MPs, signing petitions and doing everything possible to make Oliver Dowden and DCMS understand just how wrong-headed their last minute change to guidance was. If you…… Read more →

Dear all First, sincere apologies for the confusion and mess of yesterday. You should know that it was not, for once, organizational incompetence, but something that affected choirs up and down the country. For weeks, DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) has been stating that singing is permitted in Step 3 of easing. There was even a moment…… Read more →

So I think we now understand how the government decided to do this. They didn’t want to postpone the easing of lockdown, because that would have been met with howls of disapproval. So instead, they quietly issued new clarification on what is allowed under Step 3 yesterday, at odds with what was previously indicated, and on the actual day that…… Read more →

It’s great that we are so close to being able to meet and sing again. There are some bits and pieces you need to know. Here they are: Covid protocols Please use hand gel at the entrance. Entrance is through the main door (NW corner) and exit is through the small door on the south side of the church. Seating…… Read more →

Yes, we are just 7 days away from singing together again. Thank you, Boris! I hope you have all been able to locate your music, or print off fresh sheets. We will send out a practicalities post at the weekend to give you everything you need to know, but for now – a chance to remind yourselves of just how…… Read more →

We had a scare this week when a DCMS minister incorrectly stated that amateur choirs singing again is step 4 of easing restrictions. Thankfully she corrected herself 24 hours later and we are therefore still on track for a May 18th restart. We met with the administrator at All Saints today to go over logistics. All very similar to what…… Read more →