MARCH 2026
A capacity audience attended the "Music for a Spring evening" concert at The Victoria Hall.
We are very pleased to announce that the concert raised a grand total of £2100 after expenses. Of which £1500 is going to Prostate Cancer UK and £600 to Fighting To Be Heard! A huge amount of money for which I’m sure both charities will be very grateful.
In October the choir organised a very special tribute concert at St Paul’s Church in Grange over Sands to honour the memory of their much loved accompanist, Ray Booth who sadly passed away earlier in the year. The concert included solo performances by singers who had previously worked with Ray as well as organ solos and piano duets. The choir performed a range of his favourite songs. Ray was a proud Yorkshireman and the choir all wore white rose corsages to represent this. The church was packed to capacity with family and friends and BCS supporters and we raised an incredible £2500 for two chosen charities, British Heart Foundation and MNDA.
CHRISTMAS 2025
As always, Bay Community Singers were very busy during this period. We sang carols at the Tree Lighting in Grange over Sands, accompanied by the wonderful members of Flookburgh Band. We returned to Kendal Parish Church to sing in the NSPCC Carols by Candlelight event, this was our second visit and it is always an amazing evening and raised almost £3000 for NSPCC. We sang at the Beetham Garden Centre Christmas Market collecting money for Blood Bikes. For the first time, a small group of singers went to the Old Vicarage Care Home in Allithwaite to entertain the residents with Christmas songs and carols. Nearer to Christmas we also performed at the URC Annual Carol Service. Our last Christmas event was our local carol singing in Grange over Sands – donations from this also went towards the £500 we sent to Blood Bikes.
Residential Weekend January 2026
Choir member reviews of the residential weekend.
Our inaugural residential weekend at the Damson Dene Hotel in the beautiful Lyth Valley. A short drive from Grange over Sands to Choral Heaven.
The weekend consisted of a series of discussion groups and games to educate and entertain. All very jolly and great fun to learn about good vocal techniques including breath control with a straw (who would have thought), posture, warm ups, articulation, diction (with a free Polo mint-ask someone who was there) and relaxation.
Jane (our MD) had brought some short pieces of new music for us to learn with appropriate harmonies and some tricky rhythms and dynamics which were challenging and very satisfying to successfully complete. These also encouraged us to listen to other vocal parts and stay focused on our own line. Aiming for a fabulous balance of sound which, of course, we achieved beautifully.
Then we had ‘CRAZY TIME’! Walking AND singing and mixing with other voices than your own! What is the world coming to? Awesome!
We also worked on our latest performance songs and raised the roof with some of our favourites, supported by Helena and Wendy our incredible accompanists.
We did manage a few breaks for tea/coffee, lunch, swimming, evening meal and an evening of entertainment with bingo (B-I-N-G-O and bingo was his name oh. Perhaps you had to be there really) and a thought provoking quiz. All of which were excellent, as was the hotel and staff.
Huge thanks to Jane and the Committee for all of the hard work in organising a terrific weekend away with a terrific group of people.
We finished the event with Bridge over Troubled Water which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
Let’s look forward to our next residential with
THE BAY COMMUNITY SINGERS
Ian Wilson.
This was our first residential weekend, but please let's have another. If you weren't there you missed a treat.
The weekend had a variety of activities, which were fun and interactive. Who knew we'd be playing charades using musical terms, I'll definitely remember the term I mimed ...RIT. Singing in the round whilst also walking and concentrating on your own part, playing Bingo and a musical quiz on TV theme tunes.
There was also free time to sit, have a glass or two of wine and have a chat with great company.
The 3 course dinner was well presented, great choices and delicious. We all had a wonderful time and I certainly didn't want the weekend to end.
Cannot wait until the next one!
Hilary
Grange-over-sands Tree Lighting 2025
