Warrington 2006

For a number of us, the weekend started off waiting for the coach in a very cold and windy Mickleover. Thankfully, the weather improved as we progressed up the M6 and we soon arrived in a sunny Warrington. As usual the designated ‘unloaders’ soon set to work in getting everything off the coach and into our allocated rooms in what was an impressive suite of buildings. We were met by the familiar faces of our former Corps Officers Majors David and Merle Garrad, now the COs at Warrington. After a brief rehearsal our hosts were on hand with a welcome cup of tea, the first of many throughout the weekend. Then on to the welcome tea where we were given a hearty meal to set us up well for the evening festival. The usual chaos then ensued as we all rushed to get changed for the 7pm start.

As we entered the hall to greet the congregation we were pleased to see that a good crowd had gathered, and we immediately got underway with our first song Sing to the Lord. The programme included many familiar items, such as Open Thou Mine Eyes, Written in Red and There’s Never Been a Mountain, as well as a number of our newer songs including Daniel, Servant of the Lord and Somebodys Prayin For Me, featuring Alan Fox. The reflective period was provided by testimony from Philip Eacott; which included some humorous anecdotes from his experiences as a hospital DJ, and the pause for thought from Pauline Eacott. The evening ended with the songsters dispersing around the hall to sing John Rutter’s benediction The Lord Bless You and Keep You.

For a number of us, the weekend started off waiting for the coach in a very cold and windy Mickleover. Thankfully, the weather improved as we progressed up the M6 and we soon arrived in a sunny Warrington. As usual the designated ‘unloaders’ soon set to work in getting everything off the coach and into our allocated rooms in what was an impressive suite of buildings. We were met by the familiar faces of our former Corps Officers Majors David and Merle Garrad, now the COs at Warrington. After a brief rehearsal our hosts were on hand with a welcome cup of tea, the first of many throughout the weekend. Then on to the welcome tea where we were given a hearty meal to set us up well for the evening festival. The usual chaos then ensued as we all rushed to get changed for the 7pm start.

As we entered the hall to greet the congregation we were pleased to see that a good crowd had gathered, and we immediately got underway with our first song Sing to the Lord. The programme included many familiar items, such as Open Thou Mine Eyes, Written in Red and There’s Never Been a Mountain, as well as a number of our newer songs including Daniel, Servant of the Lord and Somebodys Prayin For Me, featuring Alan Fox. The reflective period was provided by testimony from Philip Eacott; which included some humorous anecdotes from his experiences as a hospital DJ, and the pause for thought from Pauline Eacott. The evening ended with the songsters dispersing around the hall to sing John Rutter’s benediction The Lord Bless You and Keep You.