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| 1873: Deal Memorial Bandstand, Walmer,
Kent, England |
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Mystery Worshipper:
Miss Ericord.
The church:
Christmas Carol Service at the Deal
Memorial Bandstand, Walmer near Deal, Kent, England.
Denomination:
Non-denominational. The service is organised by the Deal Memorial
Bandstand Trust.
The building:
The bandstand was built using donations from the people of Walmer
to commemorate the lives of eleven musicians killed when an
IRA bomb was detonated at the Royal Marines Barracks just across
the road on 22nd September 1989. It is a twelve-sided, open
bandstand on a raised mound in the centre of Walmer Green, with
a name plaque on each of eleven flat sides. For this evening's
service it was decorated with white rope and icicle lights,
of which only one set appeared to be working! Screens had been
placed around one side to improve the acoustics, and the congregation
surrounded the other side.
The church:
The bandstand hosts concerts every Sunday afternoon during the
summer months, with brass and swing bands coming from across
the country. The highlight of the season is the visit of Her
Majesty’s Royal Marines Band from Portsmouth each July. In addition
to the carol service which is the subject of this report, there
is also an annual remembrance service.
The neighbourhood:
Walmer is a quiet, picturesque seaside town in Dover. The bandstand
sits on Walmer Green just next to the lifeboat station. On one
side is the pebbly beach and the sea; and on the other, a row
of small shops (the fish and chip shop was doing a very brisk
trade!). The nearby town of Deal used to be a busy fishing (and
smuggling) port, but is now an average small town with the usual
high street shops, home to 30,000 people. The older parts of
town are popular with second-homers.
The cast:
Introductions were made by Steven Parks from the Bandstand Trust.
The service proper was led by the vicar of Walmer
Parish, the Revd Seth Cooper, who is also chaplain to the
lifeboat station. Music was provided by the Snowdown
Colliery Welfare Band under the direction of Kevin Spencer,
and a children’s choir from the Deal
Parochial School.
The date & time:
Saturday, 12 December 2009, 5.00pm – although we didn't actually
get going until 5.20pm.
What was the name of the service?
Carols at the Bandstand.
How full was the building?
Jam-packed, so much so that the children's choir were standing
in considerable peril atop a fairly steep slope. The congregation
were stood on the green below and around the bandstand –
I estimate there were 300 people present.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
As we arrived, a lady shoved a service sheet at us without making
eye contact. I appreciate it would be tricky to welcome everyone
personally when your congregation is arriving from all directions,
but a smile would have been nice! Is a "Merry Christmas" too
much to ask?
Was your pew comfortable?
We stood for the duration as chilblains crept up our trouser
legs. "Bring warm clothing and a torch," the advertisements
had advised. Would that we had – and would that the adverts
had mentioned chairs as well! Some more organised souls had
brought folding picnic chairs.
How would you describe the pre-service
atmosphere?
Festive. We arrived right at starting time, but it was clear
that there would be a delay as people fiddled with microphones
and herded children up the slope. It was pretty dark, and the
lights around the bandstand and from people's torches were rather
lovely.
What were the exact opening words of the
service?
"CHECK!" (Testing a microphone at full blast, making at least
half of the people present jump out of their skins.) The actual
opening words were: "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, boys
and girls, and Father Christmas. Welcome to Deal Bandstand."
Yes, Father Christmas was there and sang with gusto.
What books did the congregation use during the
service?
A booklet printed specifically for the occasion with words to
the carols (eleven of them). Mr Cooper read from John's gospel
(New International Version).
What musical instruments were played?
A full brass band of around 30 musicians. I counted ten cornets
and trumpets, five horns, five euphoniums (euphonia?), four
trombones, four tubas (including an enormous one that was at
least twice the size of the musician – I actually feared that
the poor chap might fall into it!), but no percussion.
Did anything distract you?
Only the fact that I couldn’t feel my toes within half an hour!
It was cold! A lady behind me kept winding up her torch
rather vigorously between carols such that I almost offered
to lend her a battery.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or
what?
It was just as community carol singing should be – hearty and
joyful. One of the primary school children sang the first verse
of "Away in a Manger" alone at about twice the tempo
that the band were playing it – but the round of applause she
received at the end of her verse allowed everyone to catch up!
Exactly how long was the sermon?
There was no sermon. Mr Cooper read from the gospels between
carols.
Which part of the service
was like being in heaven?
Singing the old familiar carols by torchlight on a crispy winter
evening was pretty heavenly. And Mr Cooper used the Common
Worship additional simple blessing that I love ("May
the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance
of the wise men, etc.").
And which part was like
being in... er... the other place?
I think I have frostbite. Did I mention it was cold?
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
I tried to look lost – but a sea of people were making
their way across the green, heading home or for the nearby pubs!
How would you describe the after-service
coffee?
We went back to my house for mulled wine and mince pies – fab!
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
8 – There aren’t regular services here, but I’ll definitely try to be back next year.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a
Christian?
Absolutely – it was very "Joy to the World."
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
The sense of community spirit. |
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