Broadland churches’ music group special concert

A thriving music group made up from three parishes in an East Norfolk benefice took part in a special concert to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The group, known as the Waterside Scratch Band, was formed eight years ago after a previous vicar’s wife, Mo Stride, recognised the way music could bring people of the benefice together and how she could use the talents of the congregation to do this.
 
The group meets for practice, fellowship, fun and a tea break every Thursday evening at 7.30pm usually in one of the local churches, or in Ludham Church rooms during the winter months. There is no formal membership, but they have grown into a thriving music group, which provides music for Catfield, Ludham and Potter Heigham. The band also provides music at the monthly benefice service and for other special services and events, including carols in pubs and care homes.
 
The recent concert celebrating Ralph Vaughan Williams took place in the beautiful setting of medieval All Saints church in Catfield. David Frost led the concert with informal instructions to everyone before each hymn, and Chris Marshall introduced each piece.
 
The repertoire included the hymn tunes King’s Lynn (‘O God of Earth and Altar’), Down Ampney (‘Come Down O Love Divine’, Forest Green (‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’) and Sine Nomine (‘For All the Saints’). The evening ended with a blessing from Revd Gary Noyes.
 
Revd Gary writes: “It was a real delight to be part of such an evening at All Saints, and to hear our Scratch Band celebrate the music and Norfolk connections of Ralph Vaughan Williams, who just happens to be one of my favourite composers. The church was full, and it was extra special that we were able to use our local church space to celebrate the glory of God with some of the many hymns that RVW arranged for the English Hymnal.”
 
This story and the picture above are courtesy of the Diocese of Norwich.

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If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture.