The Lee Old Church TrustBy Trish Swain
The end of September saw the resumption of the programme for 2008 with an illustrated talk on the artist and engraver Clare Leighton. Moving to Whiteleaf in the 1930s Clare Leighton recorded the making of her garden at ‘Four Hedges’, capturing the changes in season in her exquisite woodcuts. She was passionate about the Chiltern Hills and campaigned with others to prevent the destruction by developers of the famous chalk cross at Whiteleaf. Clare also captured for us the agricultural world of the 1930s before farming changed out of all recognition.
Alexandra McCulloch, who gave the talk, gave all those present a welcome introduction to the life and work of the artist, who merits greater recognition.
On Sunday 12th October Glenys Groves and colleagues Jonathan Fisher, Andrea Hazell and Scilla Stewart brought a touch of Royal Opera House shine to the Old Church with a programme entitled ‘Lionel Monckton and Friends – lost British Musicals 1909-1918’. First performed in the Crush Bar at the Royal Opera House, the performers dusted off some long-forgotten songs and composers and brought them to life in front of an appreciative audience. This period marked the end of the Victorian influence on musicals and segued into the type of musicals more familiar to audiences today.
Looking ahead, there are still a few tickets left for ‘A Christmas Cracker’, a miscellany of readings and carols by The Fayrfax Consort on 7th December. Call 837752 for tickets (at £10 these include mulled wine and mince pies).