Wednesday 20 December 2017

Warm winter glow at the Ould Kirk...



A warm glow filled St Nicholas Auld Kirk on Sunday afternoon as the building came alive with a Christmas Concert organised and beautifully delivered by Elizabeth Duncan and Kirsty Drever to showcase their students, young and talented musicians and singers.
The body of the Kirk was packed with only standing room left as Athole Thomson welcomed the guests while mulled wine and Christmassy home bakes were served by Santa’s helpers!
The concert included some well-known tunes, Ding Dong Merrily on High, Carol of the Drum, Jingle Bells, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World, and many more.
Among the beautifully played piano and fiddle tunes, we were also treated to an energetic set of fiddle tunes by a brother and sister duo.
Kirsty’s Holm and Birsay singing groups joined forces with It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas and a Coldplay song, Christmas Lights.
Elizabeth and Kirsty also treated us to a tune they played beautifully together on their fiddles.
As the concert drew to a close, Marlene Mainland rounded up the event and introduced our Memory Tree which will be available in the Vestry throughout the Festive Season for folk to hang a heart of remembrance on its branches. She then recited a very moving poem entitled Memory which gave us all time to reflect on the memories of loved ones before moving into our final song.
As for the “warm glow”, Andrew Drever commented on the fact that this was the first time he’d known of a concert being performed while everyone continued to wear their coats, scarfs and hats! He then went on to thank the organisers, the musicians and the audience for supporting the event before finally wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas.
Thank you to all that turned out and supported the event, purchased raffle tickets, providing the home bakes and keeping it running to schedule. Thanks also to Tommy and Erlend for keeping the light on (well almost!) An enjoyable afternoon which raised the magnificent sum of £604 towards the preservation and restoration of the building.
Thank you and Merry Christmas from the Friends of St Nicholas.

A. Drever