Malew Parish Church Community

‘EVENING OF MANX MUSIC AND VERSE’ CELEBRATES NEW AUDIO SYSTEM

FOR THE ABBEY CHURCH

 What a wonderful evening we enjoyed on Friday, 30^th October, when we were treated to performances by some of the finest talent on the Isle of Man, to celebrate the installation of our new audio system.  In spite of torrential rain, the evening was a great success thanks to the high standard and variety of performers, who played to a packed church.   Geoff Corkish, MHK, was on great form as Master of Ceremonies introducing many visiting performers.  The audience was in awe at the wonderful voices of Jane Mayne (a past member of the Abbey Church choir), John Qualtrough (brother to Jo and Terry), who came over from Cheltenham especially to take part, and the Farmers’ Quartet, comprising Noel Cringle, David Brew, Peter Quayle and John Kennaugh accompanied by Mary Cringle on piano.  John Kennaugh went on to tell us about the Manx poet and teacher, T E Brown and to recite part of ‘Betsy Lee’ so movingly.  The concert was further enhanced by talented performers of our own.  We were treated to the beautiful bass voice of Terry Qualtrough, to Helen Ainsworth and daughter Sarah Elder who used the new radio microphones so effectively, to AMPP (Phil Halliwell, Marc Tyley, Bobba Cowley and Barry Powell) whose use of electric guitars provided a lively contrast to the more classical pieces.  Terry’s 16 year old daughter, Sarah held us transfixed by her polished bible reading, with which she won the senior section of the National Thomas Cranmer Bible reading finals in London.  We also need to thank: Derek Ainsworth, who managed the controls of the new audio system so expertly; Gareth Moore for his splendid piano and organ accompaniment; and to Ruth Crossley, whose haunting flute playing accompanied Terry’s emotive interpretation of ‘The Ellan Vannin Tragedy’.

We were honoured to have the Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Rt. Rev. Robert Paterson as our special guest and delighted that he joined the cast in singing ‘Ellan Vannin’.  The concert was followed by wine and a wonderful array of delicious canapés made by members of the parish.  The event concluded with a raffle, with fantastic prizes, such as a deluxe room for two, including dinner, wine and breakfast at the Sefton Hotel and dinner for two at The Atlantis Restaurant (where Peter Hughes is the brilliant chef).  The raffle alone raised £354, lifting the overall profit to an amazing £1,450.

We are indebted to all members of the parish who helped make this such a memorable evening: to those who made canapés and to Barbara Hyde for co-ordinating their distribution so efficiently; to Lillian Burnett and Mags Steward for running the raffle, helped by Duncan Williamson (who spent much of the evening folding raffle tickets); to our sommeliers, Curphy Taggart and Phil Halliwell, for serving the wine; to the marvellous teams of helpers who organised the church hall in preparation and cleared up late on the Friday evening; to all who attended; and to Phil Burnett for looking after the money.  Without their help the event would not have been possible.

We were very concerned that the new audio system would not be installed in time for this event.  However, after a frustrating 10 month delay, the Diocese finally gave the go-ahead and, fortunately, Steve Crackell, of Sound Choice Audio Systems, was able to undertake the installation during the week beginning Monday, 19^th October.  The work was completed to a very high standard and enhanced by the fact that there are no visible or trailing cables. The system includes a loop system for those with hearing aids, three unobtrusive sockets on the two kneelers and the pulpit, two other sockets near the organ and behind the altar, two sensitive microphones to plug into any of the sockets, two radio microphones, four speakers in the body of the church and one in the choir stalls.  Each of these items and the two existing clip-on radio microphones can be operated independently from a central control cabinet fitted behind the left-hand side of the choir stalls.   The cabinet also contains a high quality CD player linked to the speakers.  We would like to offer our sincere thanks to Orry, Derek and Phil for their help and support throughout the planning and installation of the audio system.

 The first use of the system was at the morning service on Sunday, 25^th October when, coincidentally, Roy read the lesson using one of the new microphones.  The system proved to be a great success: Ted Hyde using his hearing aid linked to the loop system and Katy Hughes in the choir reported that they heard Michael’s sermon for the first time in six years! 

Looking back, we began fundraising only 15 months ago.  During this time we have raised a staggering £4,633, thanks to all the wonderful support we have received through this event and two very enjoyable and lively auction suppers.  The total was supplemented considerably by three most generous donations.  At their special birthday parties, Jean Clifton and Donald Whittaker asked for donations to the audio system rather than presents and Sarah Elder donated the money raised at last year’s Christmas concert.  Other splendid news was that, at £6,110 (including VAT), the final invoice for the audio system was £900 lower than expected, so the PCC has agreed to the purchase of a third slot-in microphone for the pulpit at a cost of £295 + VAT.  We only need a further £1,800 to pay off the PCC loan (which funded the project) completely.

Because of the success of the Evening of Manx Music and Verse and numerous requests for a repeat, we plan to hold a similar evening on Friday, 8^th October, 2010.  So put the date in your diary.

Thank you all again for your fantastic support in helping us provide such a fine, state-of-the-art audio system.  

Roy and Jo