After several weeks of rehearsals, printing programmes, preparing travelling arrangements, etc six car loads and one train passenger set off to spend the weekend of 28 - 30^th March with the people of St Luke's Torquay - where Michael Westall is now Priest-in-Charge.

It was a very joyful affair; some twenty of us including several of our hosts foregathered on the Friday evening at the Devon Dumpling for a pub supper and then made our way to various residences and hotels for the night. On Saturday morning we arrived at the Church for the final rehearsal. Staging had been erected and a grand piano and full sound system enabled us to make full use of the Nave and Pulpit for our extravaganza. All went according to plan - nearly! For clarification of this you will have to enquire from a group member or wait for the photographs!

By the late morning the forecast storms were sweeping across the bay intensifying towards the evening but a goodly number turned up to enjoy our entertainment. We resurrected the 'Highway Code' to Anglican chant from one of our earlier events - with every singer wearing a chorister's ruff (carefully made by Biddy and June) and Michael Westall again produced his brilliant version of Alan Bennett's famous sermon. When once again when he announced the text; 'My Brother Esau is an Hairy Man but I am a Smooth Man' it took several minutes for some to cotton on to the joke! For good measure we also had John Colley singing 'Mrs Beamish' with the refrain - Don't you dare shake hands with me; this is the C of E' - perhaps not quite so resonant there where 'The Peace' is part of the Sunday Worship anyway. After the show we all adjourned to the Parish Hall where we enjoyed a lovely buffet supper given by the local people.

On Sunday morning we became the Church Choir with David Harrison as organist, especially useful as there is a vacancy for a regular organist at present. We sang their Eucharist setting adding the Easter Anthem 'This Joyful Eastertide' and then the 'Lord's Prayer' from the African Sanctus leading a well-attended service full of vitality. More refreshments followed In the early afternoon, now in bright sunshine we headed home along the M5 with very little traffic and an easy journey. A splendid weekend which we all enjoyed.

Madeline Brewin