The major social event of 60th Anniversary season was a successful formal dinner held at the Quayside Exchange in Sunderland on Friday 15th May 2009 in the presence of The Mayor of Sunderland, Co. Alan Richardson, and the Mayoress and Anne Marie Owens, the President of the Society.
Over 100 diners, including many Patrons and previous members of the Society, were able to examine a range of memorabilia including photographs and old programmes. After their meal they were entertained by a talk by Dr. Alan Speeding of Beverley Minster who is very well known in choral circles.
Christine Alder, Chairman of the Society, mentioned some landmarks in the history of the Society and noted the many thanks which are due to those who have enabled the Society to develop over its 60 years and to continue to provide local concerts of such a scale and high calibre.
A Saturday evening concert in Whitburn Parish Church, Whitburn, Sunderland.
This concert is being held in memory of Doug Hughill, former Head of Music at Monkwearmouth School and well known local musician, and include many of his own compositions and arrangements. All monies raised will be contributed to St.Clare’s Hospice in Jarrow.
Doug was born in Sunderland, attending Bede School. After studying in Whinchester, he returned to Sunderland to become a teacher at Barnes School, followed by Head of Music at Castle View School before being appointed to Monkwearmouth. Music was a passion to Doug and he excelled at composition and arranging. At the schools where he worked he formed orchestras, brass bands and choirs and soon became renowned for his contribution to the development of music in schools. After his retirement Doug accompanied, arranged and composed for the St.Andrew’s Singers.
This concert will feature songs by the Bishopwearmouth Young Singers and the Bishopwearmouth Choral Society Chamber Choir, including Doug’s arrangements of Hoagy Carmichael songs and some French folk songs. Other musical items will be provided by Eileen Bown and David Murray – piano, Rachael Fuller – Flautist, and by Doug Hughill’s grand-daughter – piano.
Tickets are £10.00 including refreshments (no concessions) with children under 16 admitted free (although a donation would be welcomed) available from the church, through Bishopwearmouth Young Singers or at the door.
A special Anniversary Dinner will take place at the Quayside Exchange, High Street East, Sunderland on Friday 15th May 2009 at 7.00 for 8.00 p.m. with Alan Spedding as the special guest speaker. It is hoped that this will be an opportunity for the Society, Patrons, past members and all their friends to celebrate the history of the Society.
The cost of the dinner, inclusive of a pre-dinner drink, will be £24.00 per head. A booking form, complete with the choice of menu, is available from the Society. As the relevant information concerning the dinner must be passed to The Quayside Exchange by the 5th of May, all bookings for the dinner must have been received by the Society by the 27th April 2009 at the latest.
We look forward to seeing you at this Dinner, which we stress is open to all of our and your friends and trust that our sixtieth anniversary dinner will be a memorable evening with a chance to meet old friends and perhaps to make some new ones.
The major social event of 60th Anniversary season was a successful formal dinner held at the Quayside Exchange in Sunderland on Friday 15th May 2009 in the presence of The Mayor of Sunderland, Co. Alan Richardson, and the Mayoress and Anne Marie Owens, the President of the Society.
