Since the restrictions imposed by Covid, we have met every Sunday for services, thanks to our lovely regular visiting speakers who so generously use their time and energy to support the Chapel. Purely social occasions have taken much longer to re-establish, though, so it was a splendid idea from Carole that we should once again eavesdrop on our neighbour Warwick Castle’s music programme and hold a small party in the garden while they were having a “Prom” concert in their grounds. These musical extravaganzas are usually far too loud for any of their surrounding neighbours to ignore, but it seemed a good opportunity to enjoy rather than complain when they announced an orchestral concert that would include lively compositions such as the soundtrack to the Harry Potter films and finish with some of the favourite pieces that end the Last Night of the Proms with their well-known, if rather jingoistic, pieces that invite a full-throated contribution from the audience to round the evening off.
Having ordered a full array of fish and chip suppers to be delivered from the excellent Chip Shed just round the corner in Swan Street, twenty of us gathered on what proved to be the first warm evening of the September heatwave to enjoy our much appreciated but too rarely used garden. The only disappointment was that for once the music didn’t carry as expected, so we strained to hear the Castle’s contribution to the evening – but that allowed for a fuller enjoyment of our f&c supper (with shared puddings) and each other’s company in the gathering darkness. The occasion was greatly enjoyed by all who came.
Oh, and the rabble-rousing choruses suddenly erupted just as we finished tidying away!