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Spring has definitely sprung, we all have something to sing about, and not just the weather, which is glorious today (when I have typed this I am heading for the patio with a Magnum). Although local gardens are looking as beautiful as they will at any time, it is good that we can now have a change of scene, driving non-essential journeys to somewhere further than an exercise walk away! The hills will be alive, whether or not anyone bursts into song.

During the month we had another Ring and Sing request, this time from a choir member for herself, who enjoyed an extra pleasant surprise due to an unexpected musical skill from our choir’s R&S volunteer. Hidden talents, well done. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before we can sing together, it won’t be soon, but I think we can begin to look forward to it, and so many other things. Keep patient, keep taking care, see you later.

It was World Poetry Day (21 March), established by Unesco in 1999, it aims to recognise the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind – but how do you convince people that this is something worth celebrating? Poetry is for academics and posh people, right? Wrong! So Reading Group members, why not let us share your favourite poem with you? Thanks.

Otherwise, please let me know what books you have been reading over the last month.

Spring is here, with snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils blooming everywhere, and things looking up pandemic-wise too. Thank goodness, although I think it may be a while before the choir can sing together again, sadly, we may be amongst the last groups able to resume meetings. It seems singing means lots of heavy breathing and potentially exhaling lots of air droplets on others, which sounds more exciting than only singing, but our choir members do put a lot into it!

Since the last Newsletter one of our members responded to a request for a sung birthday greeting, which I believe went well. It was her first time Ringing and Singing and she was a little nervous, but happy to do it. I hope her efforts were enjoyed, and the unexpected greeting gave a little additional pleasure to the recipient on her special birthday.

This sounds almost too good to be true, but it may be time to tune up folks, dust off our music and exercise our vocal chords, things may be beginning to get back to the longed-for normal (second vaccines next month). Till then, stay safe, we’re nearly there.’

Some of us are devouring as many books as possible during this pandemic whilst others seem to have lost their motivation! So, many thanks to those who have passed on their comments about the books they have read and let’s hope once we can get back together as a group we will hopefully become more enthused.

January isn’t usually a cheerful, sunny month, and the one just past was no exception, although it was brightened in our home by tuneful and kind choir members. David celebrated a birthday, and I had arranged a Ring and Sing call for him, so on the day left him to answer the ‘phone when it rang. On being told it was someone from the choir he began to call for me, then stopped. I saw him begin to smile, as presumably they began to sing the greeting, and by the end of the call he was beaming. He was full of praise for the singer, and I was pleased that he had enjoyed it, if a little surprised at the extent of his pleasure.

However, I appreciated how he felt a few days later, when my own birthday occurred. I organize the Ring and Sing requests, so a surprise call couldn’t be arranged for me, instead, I explained my predicament in one of my regular emails to choir members, and invited calls from anyone who would like to Ring and Sing on the day. What a great group our choir is, several members responded, and it was super. Family singalongs always occur and are appreciated, but I couldn’t tell you quite how nice it was to pick up the ‘phone and be surprised by cheerfully sung birthday wishes instead of someone trying to sell me something.

One of the singers gave me her details and a request, so I shall arrange a happy call for her too. I recommend it, I can’t recommend it enough, it is surprisingly cheering and pleasing, and had me smiling all day. Feel free to request a call for someone, or treat yourself. (You would need to know that the recipient wouldn’t mind you divulging their telephone number or birthday) The request form is on the website under ‘Choir’.

Just February to get through now, then it’s Spring! Spring! Spring! (Oh, the barnyard is busy …)The bulbs are shooting and growing fast, it won’t be long before we can sing all the lovely Spring songs. Continue to take care everyone, the vaccine doesn’t provide immunity, it only gives us some protection from Covid, stay in good health, then hopefully we’ll see each other at our u3a meetings at some time in the future.

Cheers, Christine.