This article was written for the January 2023 issue of our parish magazine. One of my favourite mantras used in these monthly articles that carols are not just for Christmas. They are also for Advent, Epiphany, Lent and Easter. I may be stretching a point, but this piece is here in January to represent the … More This Little Babe – Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Continuing our look ‘under the bonnet’ of what keeps our parish ticking over, this week meet the Gardener Mice. These mice look after the plants around the Church and by the memorials, keeping the area neat and tidy. They also grow plants for fund raising during the year.
This article was written for inclusion in the December 2025 issue of our parish magazine. In mid-December 2024 Rev Christine cam to me with a suggestion of a new anthem for Christmas – “but not this Christmas”, she said, “it’s far too short notice!” I found the sheet music, loved it, checked with Tom, and … More Thorns In the Straw Graham Kendrick (1950-present)
This month’s letter comes from the keyboard of Rev Christine: I pray that each of you has experienced a joyful Christmas, surrounded by family and friends. I also trust you have enjoyed all the traditional trimmings, taken time to celebrate the Christmas story, and had the chance to reconnect with those you may not see … More Letter to the Parish
By now all readers of this blog will be aware that our parish choir took part in the BBC’s recording of the Radio 4 Daily Service Carol Concert at Manchester Cathedral early in December 2025. It was a truly amazing event to be part of! This is what some of our singers said: Christmas started … More Radio 4 Daily Service Carol Concert
Continuing our look ‘under the bonnet’ of what keeps our parish ticking over, this week meet the Floral Mice. These mice decorate the Church throughout the year with beautiful flowers and other decorations for special times and in memory of loved ones.
In music terms, this is an ancient Christmas Carol, dating from the 16th century. I was only introduced to it two Christmases ago though. Cast your mind back. December 2020 was a bleak time. Only a few people were allowed in our churches, and major festivals and services were pre-recorded. Great efforts were made to … More Myn Lyking
She was so tired, as they walked along, Only his arm kept her from falling down. The child within her clamoured to be born She was not much more than a child herself. The hostel for the homeless, by this time, Was full to overflowing, “It’s the rules,” The warden said, not without sympathy, “There’s … More Nativity Now
This article was written for the November 2025 issue of our parish magazine. We began learning this 8-part song in Manchester Chorale rehearsals back in the summer of 2019. For very obvious reasons, we didn’t get to perform it until June 2022. The Chorale was on a concert tour to Kilkenny in Ireland, and I … More Listen to the Lambs – Robert Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943)
The Bethlehem Carol Sheet is having its 70th anniversary this year. Not only is it an affordable way to have in one convenient place nearly all the carols we might want to sing, but its profits support projects helping the poorest people in the Middle East. You won’t find Jingle Bells in it, though – … More December letter to the parish
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 