A West Country Christmas
Daf Edwards invites you to see the popular folk singer Jim Causley performing with the Widecombe Singers - in Widecombe!
Hello Fellow-Rollers!
I’m writing to tell you about a Christmas concert that’s happening at St Pancras Church in Widecombe. You may well have read in Michael Brown’s Rolling Along missive that we have Jim Causley coming to Widecombe on 20th December.
Jim, if you don’t know him, is the loveliest man on the folk music circuit and has the most wonderful bass voice. He has invited the Widecombe Singers to join him in a performance of old and forgotten, West Country carols including our very own Widecombe Carol and another that includes the first ever English personification of ‘Sir Christemas’.
The Widecombe Singers is a community choir led brilliantly by Bridget Ansell. There are no auditions and everyone is welcome to join – and somehow, magically, Bridget manages to coax, cajole and draw out performances from the group which complement Jim’s singing and his songs.
Says Widecombe Singer, Jill Gratton: ‘Jim is very entertaining - I’m really looking forward to singing with him.’
Mike Lilley, a bass with the Singers adds: ‘He’s a BBC Folksinger of the Year nominee – he was on Countryfile, for goodness sake – and we are his backing band. What a thrill.’
‘He’s such a nice chap. It makes it much more alive to sing with him – we’re very proud to be part of his show’ – Widecombe Singers Dot and Roger.
Mince pies and mulled wine will be provided by the Widecombe Community Hall team – who fundraise tirelessly to build a new village hall on land they were given. So you know that what you spend on refreshments will go directly to something all of Widecombe will benefit from.
The concert coincides with the last day of the Christmas Tree Festival. So as well as joining in with rousing choruses, munching and sipping at half-time, take a walk around the church and admire the entries for this year’s competition. The theme will be ‘Christmas Characters.’
Last year the Festival became world-famous on Radio Devon because of a knitted David Attenborough that topped one of the entrants – word got to Sir David that this had happened and he sent a very kind and supportive message to Judy Southcombe, who had knitted him! Who knows what delights will adorn the trees this year?
So come along on Friday 20th December and enjoy the festive and friendly atmosphere. Tickets are £14 and available via Jim’s website – jimcausley.co.uk. Click on the tab ‘concerts’ and scroll down to the Widecombe Concert.
And if you fancy joining the Widecombe Singers, we’d be delighted to see you! We meet on Tuesday evenings in the Church House at 7.30pm in the winter and 8pm in the summer.