Chingford Area Masonic Social Group

A Concert to celebrate the re-Ordering of the Vestry Block held at the Chelmsford Cathedral on Saturday 12th June 2004.

Imagine……..A beautiful summer’s evening, a tranquil place, neatly mowed lawns, and scattered here and there, a super array of blossoming flower beds giving off their evening scent, in the grounds of a historic cathedral. Have I caught your attention?
This was the scene at Chelmsford Cathedral on Saturday 12th June, where a concert was held to celebrate the re-Ordering of the Vestry Block. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex, under the organisation of our APGM W Bro Bill Gunary, held a concert in Chelmsford Cathedral, with “The Aveley and Newham Band” performing a programme of music to entertain all kinds of musical interests.
The Provincial Grand Stewards (Active and past), were suitably attired in their invested collars, and their wands, paraded in the entrance of the Cathedral and welcomed the visitors who had purchased tickets for the occasion, although some did arrive to pay on the evening, and were they glad they made the decision to come along, as the entertainment was of the highest quality you would expect to receive at a West End Theatre show, and for only £5.00 a ticket including refreshments.
Among those dignitaries attending, was our PGM, Colonel Sir Neil Thorne, The Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral, The Very Reverend, Peter Judd, The Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord John Petre of Ingatestone, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VW Bro Brian Procter, and many other distinguished members of the Province of Essex.
The evenings musical offerings commenced at 7.00 p.m. with W Bro Ian Gorman, the Provincial Grand Organist, giving the arriving visitors his special programme of selected items of music to include “Bishops’ Fanfare”, prelude on “Londonderry Air” and finished with a glorious flourish with the “Crown Imperial” (a coronation march 1937).
At 7.30 p.m. before the commencement of the concert, by “The Aveley and Newham Band” The Very Reverend Peter Judd, welcomed the visitors and thanked them for their wonderful work in raising money for the new Vestry, and described his initial difficulties in raising funds, and it was not until the Freemasons of Essex started their campaign to raise money for the essential needs of the Cathedral, that eventually the Heritage Lottery Fund conceded, also made a grant for the Cathedrals new Vestry . The Dean was most grateful for all the support he had received, and thanked all those who had attended, and hoped they would enjoy the “Concert” and invited the guests to visit the new Vestry during the interval.
The band, under their conductor Nigel Taken, resplendent in a white jacket, and sporting a very dazzling designed waist coat, very reminiscent of the “Last Night of the Proms” led the band with first half of the evenings musical programme, which commenced with our “Opening Masonic Ode“, being heartily sung by everyone present. Other pieces for the first half included a novelty item entitled “Ejala”, which was an African song, and the band surprising the audience by also singing in “Swahili”, this was warmly applauded by the audience. The organ classic “Toccata” from the “Suite Gothique”, was immediately recognised and there were plenty of tapping feet to this piece. The audience were also entertained with songs by Della Jones, one of Great Britain’s leading mezzo-sopranos, who is a prolifically recording artiste, and has performed numerous operatic roles, and also made an acclaimed appearance in the 1993 “The Last Night of the Proms” at the Albert Hall. Della is currently appearing in Gounod’s “Faust” at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Della gave us a delightful “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, and the first half of the concert concluded with Della leading the audience in singing “Jerusalem”. The Aveley and Newham Band consists of very many talented musicians from all walks of life, and we were entertained not only with the band, but also by selected solo’s from the band members, a soprano cornet of Andrew Lloyd Webbers “Jesus Christ Superstar” entitled “Gethsemane” and a xylophone solo piece called “Xylophonia”.
During the interval, everyone was pleased to enjoy some tea, coffee, and soft drinks along with home made cakes.
The second half of the concert was as equally enjoyable as the first half. The music again being varied, to include a jazz version of “Ol Man River”, a delightful version of “Tea for Two”, a piece arranged after Dmitri Shostakovitch, and another invigorating and exciting piece “Toccata” arranged after J Bach, this was a rousing piece that once again had the audience feet tapping. For the “finale” , we did have our own “Last Night of the Proms”, with Della Jones again leading the audience with “Rule Britannia”, and the Proms favourite, “Pomp and Circumstance”, unfortunately, there was no flag or banner waving, but the programmes helped as a substitute, and the whole audience still standing, erupted into a spontaneous applause and cheering at the finish of such a excellent evening of music. The traditional closing “Masonic Ode” was sung, followed by the National Anthem.
The Fanfare and Opening Ode have never been arranged for a Brass Band, this was the idea of the band and the arrangement was made by one their members Andy Austin.
When the concert had finished, The Provincial Grand Master, was pleased to stand and thank the Lord Lieutenant of Essex for his attendance, and also extended his thanks to the Very Reverend Peter Judd for allowing the concert to be held. The PGM thanked the band for their wonderful music, and made specific reference to the African song sung in Swahili, which he suggested they should try to do an African dance at the same time, which was received with applause. Colonel Sir Neil went on to thank the Provincial Grand Organist W Bro Ian Gorman, and also to Della Jones, who was presented with a bouquet of flowers, which Della received with gracious thanks to the audience.
The PGM did not forget to thank all those who had arranged the concert, especially our APGM W Bro Bill Gunary and the team, and also to the ladies who laid on the refreshments for the evening. Colonel Sir Neil made a special reference to W Bro Holdsworth for all his efforts in raising in excess of £240,000.00 for the Cathedral. Joe is now unwell and being cared for by Macmillan Nurses.
In attendance was a member of the Essex Ambulance service, who the PGM thanked for their attendance, and quipped, that if a member of the audience fainted they might get a lift home in a helicopter, which was received with applause and laughter. In conclusion he thanked everyone for attending, and looked forward to attending another concert by “The Avelely and Newham Band”, and specifically requested a list of their engagements so that the Brethren of the Province of Essex will get the opportunity in hearing this superb band.
The Provincial Stewards, wearing their collars and holding wands, formed up in a line either side of the entrance of the Cathedral, as the visitors left the Cathedral, and each were personally thanked by the Provincial Grand Master Colonel Sir Neil Thorne as he left.
W Bro Bill Gunary would like to express his sincere thanks for the sterling work done by W Bro John Lamb in the detailed arrangements for the evening.
Lets go back to “Imagine”…..no it was not imagination….it was real, and an audience of approximately 300 people who attended, will not forget such a memorable evening of music to celebrate the re-Ordering of the Vestry Block at Chelmsford Cathedral.

Article by W Bro Allan de Luca - Fiducial Lodge No. 8753