Well they say the sun shines on the righteous, well we must have done something right during the year as during a week of heavy rain, on Friday at 7pm the sun came out, the grass dried and the choir party began.

Choristers, and their partners, came from all over the place (even from Fareham via Bournemouth - the joy of southwest trains!) to celebrate another sucessful year of singing praises to God.

After a magnificent feast of food the annual choir football match happened. Playing was fast and furious - I think we all left with bruises - and the match finished 4-3 to Matthew's team. Man of the match was Steve who seemed to be everywhere, yet always holding a beaker of wine in his hand!

With the growing number of events that the choir are asked to host or take part in, plus the normal services I think you would agree that they all deserve a summer rest.

The next choir practice is on Friday September 4th. Junior choir practice starts at 6.45pm and senior choir starts at 7.30pm. Phone Martin if you would be interested in joining this very happy and growing band of singers.

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.