West Gallery Carol Concert from the Ridgeway Singers
An Evening of Joyous Dorset Music
Wednesday 21st December, 7:30pm at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester
The Ridgeway Singers & Band are performing their Christmas Concert only at Marnhull (near Sturminster Newton) and Dorchester this year, so don’t miss them.
The customary blend of Dorset-linked carols, tunes and entertaining tales will include a joyful version of ‘Hark the Herald Angel Sing’ to music collected in Durweston and ‘Rejoice Ye Tenants of the Earth’ from Puddletown, mentioned by Thomas Hardy.
Another well known carol – if not tune – will be ‘While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night’, at one time the only carol the Church permitted local congregations to sing: it was thus widely sung to many different tunes. Our version is found in the Hardy Family Manuscripts.
‘A Song for Loders’, is a wintery poem by Leonard Clark, with the melody by our own Tim Laycock. This lovely piece evokes some of the less known parts of Dorset: ‘From Yondover to Askerswell, the lanterns burn for wand’ring sheep’.
Music played by the band includes ‘The January Waltz’ written by a modern Dorset composer as well as “Enrico”, a favourite of Thomas Hardy.
Some recent comments: “Brilliant, uplifting singing and terrific readings”; “It was absolutely wonderful: I thoroughly enjoyed it”.
Wednesday 21 December in Dorchester at 7.30pm. Dorford Centre, (opposite Top O’Town car park) DT1 1RR. Book via https://ridgewaysingersandband.org/ or Tel 01305 852826. Adults £10; Under-18s £5.
Seasonal refreshments will be available.
Event location map
All day event
Starts 11:15 until 19:00
Starts 18:30 until 20:30
Starts 11:00 until 20:00