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[ Home ] [ UK Singings Index ] [ 1999 Pictures ] [ 1999 Minutes ] [ Dave Richardson's report ] [ Diane Menella's report ] [ Helen Brown's report ]
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Gwehelog Singing, 17th July 1999 Report from Diane Menella When Ken Baddley sent out the invitation to join him in Gwehelog, Vale of Usk, Wales to sing, I felt I couldn't resist (since traversing the back roads of Sand Mountain and actually finding Macedonia, no challenge seems too great). The building (and the way to find it) was as advertised ..... filled to capacity, standing room only at times, the sound was full and glorious. The Sacred Harp portion of the day was opened and closed with prayer, with grace asked at lunch time and included a sweet, solemn memorial lesson led by Bernard Collard. It seemed to me that the ranks were swelled by local residents for the Sankey portion. My hostess, regular attendant at a local Presbyterian church, was very well acquainted with the hymn book and explained that at least once a month, their Sunday service includes mostly singing from same (this region is served by itinerant preachers as congregations are small). Doesn't this have a familiar ring? And they know and sing all the verses to beloved tunes such as Rock of Ages, When the Roll is Called up Yonder (with answer-back bass in the chorus), Shall We Gather at the River and more. I might have been in Georgia except for the one-lane country roads with hedges 8 feet above the roof of the car on either side ! There was yet more singing in the evening and on into the night ..... gracious hospitality extended at every turn. Great thanks to Ken for getting the word out and shepherding us through the day. p.s. that's Gway log or Gway-hay log
[ Home ] [ UK Singings Index ] [ 1999 Pictures ] [ 1999 Minutes ] [ Dave Richardson's report ] [ Diane Menella's report ] [ Helen Brown's report ]
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