Wolds Diary: Choir tunes up for Easter as lambs leap in the fields

I decided to take the bus to Driffield rather than drive myself. As a pensioner I have the privilege of a bus pass, and I do enjoy the shops in Driffield.

I had earlier taken some rugs and mats to the vets in the hopes they could use them. As soon as we got to the outskirts of Driffield the snow disappeared. It seemed that Pocklington had most of it.

When I got home the dogs and I went for a walk but none of us wanted to stay out too long and when I got home the dogs made a bee line for my bed. I managed to close the bedroom door before they got to it.

I’m having the house redecorated and the decorator keeps the paint in a space in the bathroom. Unfortunately, my black Labrador, Boo made an unauthorized visit in there and when she came out I discovered I had a black Labrador with a black and white striped tail.

It was thankfully only emulsion and most of it has washed off but she did look remarkably silly for a couple of days.

I went to the Pocklington Singers rehearsal as usual on a Monday evening. We are rehearsing for The Crucifixion by John Stainer, a wonderful piece, which we will be performing on the evening of Sunday, March 13 at All Saints Church.

We are also hoping for a large audience. I have never sung it before and it is a very suitable composition for Easter.

The next day I sat with my friend’s husband while she did some much needed shopping. I watched the hares running round in the field opposite but what really thrilled me was seeing all the incredibly cute looking lambs in some of the fields on the way home. Everywhere you go there are lambs frolicking in the fields and they are a joy to see, even for such as me who as a retired shepherd can sometimes find lambs rather tiring.

On the Wednesday evening we had a Deanery Synod meeting at our church, and after a pleasant but short service it was focused largely on how to increase the giving of money to keep our fine churches going.

I had a real treat on the Thursday. I had been invited to speak to the Bridlington Luncheon Club at a lunch at a hotel in the town. They were a really interesting crowd of ladies and the meal was very good too. I especially enjoyed the apple crumble.

The ladies laughed a lot and when we were done a couple asked if I would speak to other groups in the future. My diary just keeps getting fuller.

The next day the dogs and I went for a really long trek getting home just as it got dark. I had time to bath and wash my hair and throw the garments into the washing machine before going off to a choir practice for the service on Sunday. Once a month the church choir assemble and we sing at least an introit and an anthem for the Sunday morning service.

This month’s choice of music incorporated a couple of my favourite pieces and one of the hymns is my favourite too, being set to Cwm Rhondda.

On the Saturday I went to help some other friends saw up and dispose of a huge tree in their garden.

A very skilled and practical friend came armed with two chainsaws and my friends already had one so we set to with a will and a 100ft tree was, during the course of the day, reduced to logs, two huge bonfires and some very pleasing sections of trunk, one of which I took home to turn into a bird table.

I collected several bags of chippings and delivered them to another friend and then after a very welcome cup of tea got home to get into a very much needed bath and slept solidly that night.

The church service the next morning went well, and we even got the anthems right. We had a superb soprano soloist, Ann. There is so much talent in and around the area that we are so lucky, and a brilliant musical director to guide us.