In the Haymarket in Newcastle, there is a large Church beside the City Hall. It isn't an ordinary church and has a Master rather than a vicar. The Master, Kit Widdows, was talking to a charity that he was associated with in Byker, when he collapsed and died. Terrible shock for all. Today was his funeral. Even 3/4 hour before the service, there were a lot of people. By the time it started at 11.00 the Church was full, including big galleries. At a guess 500 to 600 people. This included 2 Bishops a Lord Mayor and a Mayor.
The Lord Mayor opened the service. He told us he is a Buddhist and gave us an outline of their belief re life and death. We had 5 hymns, the Eucharist liturgy and several readings and words about Kit. The Gospel was a reading from Kit's novel 'Fourth Witness'. It is Kit's translation of St John's Gospel, Chapter 1. After the normal intercessions we had a Jewish prayer on the same lines. There was a reading from 'Four Quartets' by T.S.Eliot. After the consecration of the bread and wine, his children (grown up) talked about their Father. He was an amazing man. I had got to know him while on the Diocesan Synod and had a great respect for him. He had his own ideas about things and a very good mind, but was extremely kind. The children's eulogy was very moving, especially when they moved away from the man the world new and talked about him as their father.
Immediately after that, we had the Communion. As Kit had intoduced into the Church, the bread and wine were passed from person to person. Kit's wife had baked the bread, as she had done throughout his ministry. There were a lot of vicars there and they took the bread and wine to various points and set them on their way. This way it was easy for everyone who wanted to, to participate, including those in the galleries. I received from the wife of the Bishop of Newcastle and gave to a Canon of the Cathedral. Very humbling.
After the post communion prayers, there was a reading of 'Batter my Heart' by John Donne, which I had not heard before. Then we sang Thine be the Glory to the orchestra and organ, all at full volume - sending him off as he would have wished. Bishop Martin and Assistant Bishop Paul shared the Commendation and he was carried out to the Grand March from Aida.
Everyone was invited to a reception in the Civic Centre Banqueting Hall, but as I was due at Belsay School at 1.00 and it was then 12.40, I had to head for the Metro and my car on the outskirts of the City. I was only 20 minutes late!
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
Thursday, 6 December 2007
Christmas Concert
Tonight G and I went to the Matfen Hall Hotel, which is in a very large Victorian building. We gathered in the Hall - which rises up to a very high roof, with a stair case rising up to the first floor with a Christmas tree in the corner.
Mowden Hall School were giving their Christmas concert for parents and friends, using the staircase and the area below as their stage.
We were greeted by G's eldest daughter and husband and settled down for what we knew would be a memorable hour or two.
We were not disappointed. From Goldfinger played by the Concert Band to Tango and Jingle Bell Rock by the same group, we were held spellbound by the enormous talent and dedicated teaching and leading for 1 1/2 hours. We were allowed to join in too!
It would be wrong to name names but even so I will name 3. Every soloist or duettist or group player deserves a special mention.
Anyway - first to be named is Camilla. She is G's grand-daughter and sang Young's Christmas Night with another soprano. It is a beautiful piece and was a joy to listen to.
A young man called Fergus played Telemann's sonata in f minor for bassoon. He is enormously talented and plays a number of instruments. I think it was the bassoon that he took up by request last summer and went straight to Grade IV. He also joined 3 girls to play in a Flute Ensemble with Rae's Vegas Vacation.
The last is way out the most accomplished performer. His name is Steven and I think he is Vietnamese, though I am not sure. He plays the Cello like a master. Tonight it was Squire's Tarantella. He well deserved the longest ovation of the evening.
In amongst all this the concert band were kept busy. They accompanied us all in O little Town of Bethlehem, See amid the winter's snow, Good King Wenceslas and God rest ye merry. They accompanied the Mowden Choir for several pieces and they also played 'I don't know how to love him' - Lloyd-Webber - as well as the start and end as mentioned above.
There were 4 readings all beautifully practised and read. Unfortunately the accoustics were not perfect for readers, so my slightly dulled hearing meant that I did not get all the words.
On top of all that we were entertained by two pianists, a trumpeter, 2 flautists and another soprano.
The school is incredibly lucky to have a very strong music department. A brand new carol written especially by one of the teachers, was excellent and all the settings were written by the same man. He also played in the Concert band if not accompanieying on the piano.
After that eulogy I think I must see if I can get something out of the school - a term free for Camilla perhaps!!!
What ever, we went home very happy.
Mowden Hall School were giving their Christmas concert for parents and friends, using the staircase and the area below as their stage.
We were greeted by G's eldest daughter and husband and settled down for what we knew would be a memorable hour or two.
We were not disappointed. From Goldfinger played by the Concert Band to Tango and Jingle Bell Rock by the same group, we were held spellbound by the enormous talent and dedicated teaching and leading for 1 1/2 hours. We were allowed to join in too!
It would be wrong to name names but even so I will name 3. Every soloist or duettist or group player deserves a special mention.
Anyway - first to be named is Camilla. She is G's grand-daughter and sang Young's Christmas Night with another soprano. It is a beautiful piece and was a joy to listen to.
A young man called Fergus played Telemann's sonata in f minor for bassoon. He is enormously talented and plays a number of instruments. I think it was the bassoon that he took up by request last summer and went straight to Grade IV. He also joined 3 girls to play in a Flute Ensemble with Rae's Vegas Vacation.
The last is way out the most accomplished performer. His name is Steven and I think he is Vietnamese, though I am not sure. He plays the Cello like a master. Tonight it was Squire's Tarantella. He well deserved the longest ovation of the evening.
In amongst all this the concert band were kept busy. They accompanied us all in O little Town of Bethlehem, See amid the winter's snow, Good King Wenceslas and God rest ye merry. They accompanied the Mowden Choir for several pieces and they also played 'I don't know how to love him' - Lloyd-Webber - as well as the start and end as mentioned above.
There were 4 readings all beautifully practised and read. Unfortunately the accoustics were not perfect for readers, so my slightly dulled hearing meant that I did not get all the words.
On top of all that we were entertained by two pianists, a trumpeter, 2 flautists and another soprano.
The school is incredibly lucky to have a very strong music department. A brand new carol written especially by one of the teachers, was excellent and all the settings were written by the same man. He also played in the Concert band if not accompanieying on the piano.
After that eulogy I think I must see if I can get something out of the school - a term free for Camilla perhaps!!!
What ever, we went home very happy.
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