Mornington

In March 2016 our small choir was hired to sing at Nancy Harradine’s 100th birthday at Parkhill Gardens Aged Care Facility, a splendid occasion for Nancy and her family and for the other residents. Since then she has unfortunately died and left specific instructions that she did not want a funeral service. As her daughter-in-law explained, the family realised that many of Nancy’s fellow residents had felt the lack of an opportunity to pay their respects to their friend so we were invited back to present another mini-concert to both celebrate and farewell this remarkable centenarian.

Starting off with We’ll Keep a Welcome led onto the old favourite Calon Lân before multi-tasking compère Drew Hopkins melodiously led the choir in All Through The Night.  Cwm Rhondda followed with the very attentive audience eagerly joining in with the final chorus.

The choir took a rest while bass-baritone Roger Bartlett entranced patrons with the beautiful Homeward Bound.  The Rose came next and then You’ll Never Walk Alone which spontaneously prompted many to sing along with the choir. In contrast, the choir then ‘cwtched up’ to sing the lilting Myfanwy, Nancy’s favourite Welsh song, without accompaniment.

Next up was Geoff Serpell with a masterly rendition of Working Man before Roger showcased his fine upper range with Maria from West Side Story.

Back the choir came for the final bracket – a singalong with all the patrons who had been issued with printed songsheets. Men of Harlech was followed by Cockles and Mussels, Loch Lomon’ and Auld Lang Syne with the marvellous sight of residents linking arms and swaying to the music.

We finished with our version of Waltzing Matilda combined with Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

After sustained applause and thanks, we were invited for afternoon tea which also provided choristers with an opportunity to mingle and talk to the residents. It was heartening to hear very positive comments as to our performance and to feel that we had been an integral part of saying goodbye to Nancy.