Well, I am now having a bit of a rest after a very full and fulfilling fortnight. I am one of the choristers at St. Thomas' and I thought you should all know the fun we have had during this festive season.

As those of you who attend St. Thomas' regularly know the choir usually sing at least one anthem a week. Well on the Sunday before Christmas we sang over 7 anthems in one day!

Apart from the usual services we also had the Christmas Carol Service of readings and music, Midnight Mass and the Christmas Day service, singing at various nursing homes and the local hospital and raising money at 'The Fishermans rest'.

The start of our Christmas fun was when we were invited to Daphne (alto) and Ivor Johnston's for a party. Food and laughter were in abbundance. Some of the junior chorister became part-time waiters and the evening ended with a choir practiice at the house where regular choristers were joined by their partners and parents in singing. Grateful thnks goes to Ivor and Daphne for allowing an ever expanding choir to take over the house for the evening.

Simon Daish started off the annual carol service with the first verse of 'Once in Royal David's City'. In between lessons the choir, ably led by Fern (former organ scolar) and Martin Penrose (Musical Director of St. Thomas'), sang a variety of new and well known anthems. Itwas nice to see back in the choir Tom (former organ scholar on university hols) and Kathy (a rare day off for a manager of a shop)

Some chorister then spent Christmas week singing at various nursing homes in Lymington which culminated in a group meeting and spending an enjoyable two hours singing in various wards and the outpatients department at Lymington Hospital.

Midnight mass and Christmas Day services were tiring but enjoyable and many of us returned to sing for all services on the Sunday after Christmas.

The next Choir practice is on Friday 2nd January - what do they say about no rest for the wicked! - where new members are always welcome. At present we are on the lookout for sopranos and junior choir members although other voices will of course be always welcome.

A Chorister

Peter Daish received one of, we hope, the first awards that choristers can gain from the RSCM (Royal School of Church Music).
On Saturday 8th November 2008 he received his Dean's Medal from the Dean of Winchester in an amazing choral Evensong, sung by choristers from local RSCM Church choirs.

In the future he will be able to be examined for many other medals. Many of the choir have also gained their Bishop and Bishop Senior Awards. The awards not only test a choristers ability in singing and speed of learning, but also theory of music, knowledge of the Churches year (Peter had to answer questions on suitable anthems for different times of the year) AND Bible knowledge.

Junior choir practice is on Fridays at 6.45pm - 8pm and is open to boys and girls aged 7 years and upwards.

A very proud choir and many members of the congregation watched Lew Gregory receive a long service medal from the Chairman of the RSCM - Martin Penrose (also music director of St. Thomas') and the Dean of Winchester Cathedral, James Atwell on Saturday 8th November 2008. Lew joined the choir in 1938 as a treble under Harry Wakeford (organist and choir master from 1909-1960).

Peter Salisbury, vicar, was also present after making a special trip from another important event in Salisbury.

Lew is a very well respected member of the choir and congregation. His support of the other members of the choir is unwavering. Lew will been seen at Eucharist and Evensong most Sundays.