Singing for Jilly, and records too
The walking group had an action-packed outing on Monday September 13, staging an affecting performance at a care home in Kew and setting several group records during the day.
Choir walkers take to the sea with Jolly Roger at Cecil Court (photo Katrina Keel)
The walkers, with two newcomers, sang at the Cecil Court care home in Kew, residence of tenor Dick Jones’ partner Jilly. The fifteen-strong choir sang twelve pieces in all, selecting pieces from its current repertoire including Nessun Dorma and Song of the Jolly Roger and ending on The Soldier’s Farewell.
Jilly sang along to several of the numbers and joined the other residents in applause and cheers for the choir. She was also delighted to receive a photograph of her and Dick during the choir’s 2008 Yorkshire tour, signed by all 15 singers. The singing was of a high standard, particularly considering that by then the group had already visited two pubs (see below). There is a full report, with photographs, on our Home Page.
Shaded section of Thames towpath
The walkers had started their outing at the White Hart pub in Barnes, where they each took a Lateral Flow test as part of their Covid precautions before visiting Cecil Court. Setting off at 1.30pm, they walked two miles along the Thames towpath to the second pub of the day.
When the group stopped for a sing under an arch at Chiswick Bridge, Dick stepped in as conductor as our regular walk conductor, viz Banners, had accompanied newbie Gerry Upjohn who required an intermediate rest at the Ship in Mortlake. The group arrived at the Greyhound at Kew Green, meeting late-comer John Parker who took his Covid test before the group moved on to Cecil Court.
JP serenades manager at Cricketers
Following their performance, the group adjourned to the Cricketers, also at Kew Green, for further sustenance. It staged its next sing of the day, delighting the pub manager who said it was her best-ever working day at the pub, particularly so upon being serenaded by John Parker during Can’t Help Falling in Love. A few moments later the publican himself showed his appreciation by informing the walkers he did not have an entertainment licence and instructing them to shut up or leave.
The walkers showed their defiance by singing the Soldier’s Farewell from the pavement outside the pub before moving on, this time to undertake a stretch of almost three-and-a-half miles beside the Thames towards Richmond.
Approaching Richmond and journey's end
For a time the path followed the Thames-side border of Kew Gardens. The walkers inspected a marker for the old meridian line (since superseded by the Greenwich meridian) close to the observatory built by George III in 1769. Another point of interest was Richmond Loch and Weir, with its massive steel sluice gates. The walkers finally reached their journey’s end at the White Cross, Richmond, at 6.30pm.
During the day the walkers set up several important new records. It visited a total of four pubs, beating the previous record by one whole pub. It sang in eight different locations: Cecil Court, all four pubs, the arches beneath Chiswick and Richmond bridges, and on the train home from Richmond. It included two walking for the first time: Gerry Upjohn and Mike Sharpling.
Last but not least, at the White Cross, where it sang to a rapturous audience on the pub terrace, it was awarded free drinks all round by the pub manager, who said she was especially moved by our boisterous rendition of Nessun Dorma.
Never before, in the walking group’s nine-year history, has it scored free drinks from a pub. It was a fitting end to a long and deeply rewarding day. Tributes were paid to the complex organisation undertaken by Dick Jones, who sadly had somehow missed out on the free beer at the White Cross, and the spirited conducting at Cecil Court and elsewhere by Dave “Banners” Bannister.