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Katherine on piano



Ready for a solo

Bless this House

Eileen fiddles on the roof

Guild Coffee Evening - 7 March 2016 

Story and pictures - Jim Paterson
A good audience turned out on Monday 7 March for the Guild coffee evening, to hear the Singing Well choir group, part of the Midlothian Ageing Well initiative. Singing a selection of songs from shows and films, many of which we knew, but others had us scratching our heads a little, kept us all on our toes and foots tapping..

Choir leader Katherine Munro introduced us to the group of eleven singers, all over the age of 50, but strong in voice. Katherine, on piano, led the singers through a medley from that familiar show Fiddler on the Roof, picking songs well known to the audience, 'If I were a Rich Man', followed by 'Matchmaker' and finishing with 'Sunrise Sunset'.

Moving to Berlin in the late 1920's  we listened to 'Cabaret', from the Broadway musical hit of 1966. This was followed by 'Aint Misbehavin', a 1929 jazz number made famous by 'Fats' Waller. The story goes that the song was written while 'Fats' was in alimony prison, and that is why he was not 'misbehavin'.

After 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight' from the 1994 film Lion King we were transported back to the late sixties to listen to 'For the Good Times.' Penned by Kris Kristofferson, the song topped the US country music charts in 1970 sung by Ray Price. The choirs rendition was just as good.

The Andy William's song 'May each Day' was followed by Bless this House, written in 1927, sung by Vera Lynn, and made popular again by Perry Como in 1956.

The singing finished with  'The Merry Widow Waltz' from the operetta of the same name , written in 1861 by Franz Lehár, but featured in many stage and screen shows since, including the Alfred Hitchcock 'Shadow of a Doubt , and Ernst Lubitsch 'Heaven Can Wait', both made in 1943.

After a vote of thanks to our players from Sheila Haig, we enjoyed  our coffee or tea along with a wide selection of home baking freshly prepared by the Guild members. This gave us time to chat to the choir members, before Agnes Ovenstone dug into the raffle tickets to find the winners of the varied range of prizes on offer.  


Coffee time and a chance to chat, before the raffle began

Ageing Well is a programme of activities run by Midlothian Council for the older people in our community, that still feel young in heart. The activities are part of the Social Care and Health programme aimed at keeping fit through organised walks, keep fit, pilates, Yoga, Kurling, dancing and of course singing. You can find out more by calling the Ageing Well Coordinator on 0131-561 6506, or call in at the Penicuik Leisure Centre and ask for details.

The Guild 2015/2016 season draws to a close with the final meeting of the season on Monday 21st March for the AGM, followed a by a game of Bingo. Now that should be good for a laugh. Starts 7.30pm in the church hall.

Penicuik: St. Mungo's Parish Church (Church of Scotland). Scottish Charity No SC005838