We kicked off our 50th Anniversary celebrations with a trip to Dumfries House with a tour and tea.
We do sometimes get out of Strathaven and our Golden Jubilee is the perfect opportunity for our singers to meet up, socialise and pass the time of day with singers whose usual seat at rehearsal is at the other end of the hall.
Dumfries House, the beautifully restored Adams mansion, was the destination of a busload of thirty two singers and friends. On arrival we were welcomed by their excellent staff who were our guides for a fascinating tour. We learned how at the beginning of this century the House was almost separated from its unique furnishings before a last minute rescue by a consortium led by the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III and were able to appreciate at close quarters the results of the work of the many restorers involved in bringing it back to life.
Not content with drinking in the Georgian splendour of our surroundings, we feasted on an excellent afternoon tea served to aristocratic standard, back where we belong, on the servants’ level.
More celebrations await but on Monday at 7.30pm, it’s back to rehearsal for our Christmas Concert.