Spotlight on Matthew Atherton: choirmaster, organist and composer surpreme

Frost Magazine was deeply impressed with the Thirsk Coronation Concert, held at St Mary’s, and I, as editor, simply had to grab Matthew Atherton, the organist who not only played the organ, but collected together and rehearsed the moving, and totally excellent choir and found the time to compose the anthem: Oh Lord, grant the King a long life.

You probably feel that grab is too strong a word? Wrong –  I grabbed and refused to release this modest musician until he had told me more about his career.

Matthew started learning the piano at about the age of 4.5yrs: ‘My mother tells me as soon as I could stand upright as a baby I was trying to play anything with a flat surface – she recalls me even trying to play the house plant with its large green leaf.’

So, moving on from the joys of leaf playing, why the organ? Matthew as a young boy heard them in church. In particular,  St. Mary’s Church at Wath near Ripon, Ripon Cathedral, and Christ Church in Pennington, Lancashire. Ooops, hang on, Lancashire? But apparently the organ was built in Yorkshire so no disloyalty then.

The latter I think is the first ever church organ I saw and heard aged about 5 when taken to church with my father’s mother and sister.’ The passion was ignited, reaching a crescendo (is this too much, I ask myself?) after hearing Ripon Cathedral’s triumphant organ being played full pelt by Ronald Perrin when he  was a couple of years older.  Matthew was then allowed to try the village organ in Wath which is still intact and a fine instrument. Sadly for Matthew, when he pulled out all the stops, it didn’t sound a bit like the music in Ripon Cathedral. Ah, a bit like life’s rich pattern.

To the rescue came a succession of piano teachers, in particular Mrs Helen Blythe and Mrs Bronwen Brindly from the Ripon area. Lessons always ran over the allotted time slot, such was the teachers’ enthusiasm and committment, and even more so when exams appeared on the horizon.  Matthew remains in touch with both his mentors. 

The organ teachers it appears were a more formidable breed, mainly because Matthew was so in awe of cathedral organists. ‘I was not a sporty child (nor, it must be said, am I as an adult) and I revered cathedral organists like youngsters revere footballers or other sports personalities, so you can imagine how I felt. I was enormously privileged to have had the tutors I have had and particularly wish to acknowledge Mr Ian Little, Head of Music at Ampleforth College – I did not go to school at Ampleforth, but had lessons privately with Ian thanks to a recommendation by a family friend. Ian was a tremendous teacher and fantastic choirmaster.’ 

Matthew told me that he thought Ian Little was the youngest cathedral organist in the UK in the 1980s when he was appointed organist and choirmaster of Coventry Cathedral. Ian instilled in Matthew the need to aspire to play with refinement and elegance. ‘We did a lot of work on technique and pedal playing following the practices of the famous Italian organist Fernando Germani. I was also very privileged to have been allowed to have lessons with Canon Dr. James Lancelot, the organist and master of the choristers of Durham Cathedral. James had, and still has, a very prestigious reputation.’  Matthew recalled his first  lesson with him when – having played the Finalé from Louis Vierne’s 1st Organ Symphonie on the Durham cathedral organ –  Dr Lancelot added, after the encouraging part of the conversation, ‘“98% of the listeners would probably have not noticed the misreading in the middle part of bar x, however, do always remember the 2% that will.” It is a lesson Matthew still applies to his playing and teaching.

This brought our conversation back to the Coronation Concert where the decision was taken that the choir should perform without the orchestra in order to give the players a break. But perform what? Matthew came across text from the Book of Common Prayer used at Charles 11 Coronation in 1661. Oh Lord, grant the King a long life, that his years may endure throughout all generations. Unable to find quite the right setting in the works of early composers, he toddled off to the piano and composed his own, which was to some extent inspired by the wonderful VOCES8.

The choir thought it a stunning anthem and they set about rehearsing under Matthew’s leadership. 10 weeks later they were concert ready, 100% honed to perfection, none of this 98% for our gang, thank you very much.  But then they wouldn’t entertain anything other than perfection, would they, with the composer at the helm.

So it happened that the choir sang the Anthem in St Mary’s Church, Thirsk, during the Coronation Concert, conducted by the composer Matthew Atherton. I  swear the roof lifted, and around me tears ran. It was profoundly beautiful, as was the whole of the concert.

Eventually I released my hold on Matthew, and dusted him down, but only after he had promised to let me know when other concerts were to take place.

Facebook: Matthew Atherton, Organist & Pianist

Instagram: matthew_atherton_music

Columbia Community Association has just closed the door on week 43, which has been, as usual, totally hectic but in a nice way!

 

 

Red Shoes Bob has kept himself busy applying the rainbow adhesive film to the glass on the swing doors, he is such a perfectionist and measures each panel with precision, and each is then applied with love and care. ‘Eat your heart our Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, the completed job is spectacular,’ says Marion.

Emma from Cultural Springs popped in to discuss the buffet requirements for the Redcoat Show on the 26th May. Phil for Di’s Diner will be doing the catering of course – why would the CCA go anywhere but Brady Square?

The lovely Laura called to collect the fish tank the CCA had advertised on the Womble site, and stayed for a chin wag during which the team invited her to the Friday coffee morning.

Sadly, it was the last Equans Monday meeting. They are moving to other areas in Washington to commence a new programme of refurbishment. CCA have thoroughly enjoyed having them around, and have made many new friends and what’s more, will be forever grateful for the work they have put into the community centre. Julie Milne presented the team with a thank you card and some beautiful flowers which resulted in a few tears. However; all is not lost as the plasterers will be returning to finish off a store room at the rear of the building.

Pauline has returned from holiday, all bright eyed and bushy tailed. During her absence, lists have been compiled for garden furniture etc so off she went to place the order. First thing on the agenda was the shed, (which has arrived already). Once this has been erected the CCA will have storage space and the team will be able to develop the patio area. 

Multiply’s cooking is ongoing, and on ‘the’ day the scrumptious  aroma of chilli was in the air. The team were even asked to take part in the cereal challenge. Three types of flakes – we had to guess which one was Cornflakes.

Aimee’s dancers spend hours practicing and boy – as you can see for yourselves, can they dance. Miss Lily is amazing

Mariusz, the plumber, went on holiday on Friday… have a great holiday Mariusz. Therefore the drainage of the radiators has been deferred until next week but the team has become  philosphical, and merely told Frost Magazine: ‘Hey ho, that’s the way it goes.’

Good news on the patio area, as the first donation of a plant has arrived from a lovely lady. The team is enormously grateful. Bob has re-potted it and it is being named  Golden Rudbeckia Queen Edith, instead of its real name, Black-Eyed Susan. She will have pride of place.

Alyson one of CCA’s volunteers popped in to say hello, and the team were delighted to see she is on the mend and off to the Norwegian Fjords next week.

Delivery of baskets, compost etc. was made and the excitement is growing. Garden bench, table and chairs, hose reel all ordered, expected date of delivery in 22nd May. Marion thought this day would never come.

Coffee morning was a hoot as usual. Would you believe for the second week in succession Evelyn won the food hamper. But there again the old cliché is “you buy your ticket and you take your chance”. Enjoy lovely lady.

       

Carl, the joiner has worked his little socks off erecting the new fence and a 6ft gate to the side of the building. My word, it’s all coming together, and looks great.

Now, before Frost Magazine lets you go,  one heartfelt and most important mention on behalf of all at CCA and Frost Magazine:

It is the funeral of the much missed Graham Ross on Monday 22nd May. Taken far too soon. May this fine young man Rest in Peace. 

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

 

 

A Garden Party for Joffe Books and still the brilliant books keep coming

Joffe’s book of the week is an addictive crime thriller: the next instalment in the Detective Helen Carter series by Jodie Lawrance — THE MISSING WOMAN which is out at a mere £0.99 | $0.99*.

Ella White is missing; the first to disappear in a spate of killings in Edinburgh. Clues point to Mark Landis, a notorious killer. But Detective Helen Carter knows he was jailed twenty years ago — by her own father. As she looks to her own family’s dark past, Helen questions if she’s dealing with a clever copycat, or if her father caught the wrong man. The truth could shatter her life forever.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE MISSING WOMAN BY JODIE LAWRANCE FOR THE SPECIAL LAUNCH PRICE OF JUST £0.99 | $0.99

Moving swiftly on, let’s look at just a few of the tasty morsels Joffe Books are offering this week:

                            

The complete Detective Mia Harvey Mysteries Books 1 – 3  by Patti Battison
Meet Detective Mia Harvey, daughter of the former chief superintendent, as she follows in her late father’s footsteps to solve the crimes that plague Larchborough.  Perfect for fans of Peter May, Peter James, James Oswald, Alex Gray, Roger Silverwood, Roy Lewis or Helen H. Durrant. £0.99 | $0.99

Oh, one my son-in-law would read with interest: How to Murder your Mother-in-law by Dorothy Cannell
When Ellie Simons’s delightful mother-in-law comes to visit she finds herself at the end of her tether.  Then another MIL, also from Chitterton Fells, is found dead in suspicious circumstances — Ellie must catch the killer before her own mother-in-law is next. Fabulous jacket, fabulous charming cozy crime.£0.99 | $0.99

                       

NEW FROM LUMBOOKS:

Griff Hoskaer’s Lord Edward’s Archer Books 1 – 5. The GRIPPING, MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL FICTION SERIES. £0.99 | $0.99
Meet Gruffyd. Son of Gerald One Arrow, famous archer and loyal servant to King Henry.
‘Medieval adventure with the pace and power of a war arrow in flight.’ Matthew Harffy, bestselling author of the Bernicia Chronicles.

NEW FROM CHOC LIT

Angela Britnell’s Spring on Rendezvous Lane: a lovely love story about second chances. Sandy Warner and son Chip move to Rendezvous Lane and their new neighbour Beth, soon takes them under her wing. When Beth suddenly gets sick, her gorgeous grandson Taran comes to look after her. The last thing Sandy needs is romance … oops. £0.99 | $0.99

And finally – the weather held last Thursday for Joffe Books Garden Party …

Not only did the full Joffe team attend, Choc Lit and Lume included, but most importantly their authors. What a catch up and celebration it was – all in all a special night in the Joffe calendar.

* Launch prizes may change.

For more information on the books available head for Joffe Books

Michael Rowan gets his sparkle back and proves that men can be easy to buy for, all thanks to Drinkmate Search for drinkmate – Lakeland, the home of creative kitchenware Amazon.co.uk : drinkmate

‘Men are so difficult to buy for,’ is a common refrain in our household, heard every Christmas, birthday, and of course, Father’s Day. This statement is undoubtedly true, if my burgeoning sock draw, and a shelf full of aftershave to rival any Boots store is anything to go by. With Father’s Day fast approaching on June 18th, now is the ideal time to reveal the inner workings of the male mind, and make a suggestion that will make buying a gift for the man in your life, a veritable breeze.

I am sure that by now you realise that men are not at all complicated, we develop ‘big box syndrome’ as boys, if the gift comes in a big box, we already love it, n.b. this does not apply to socks or aftershave. We also love gadgets, things that do something, and if they have a button to press, or a switch to switch, so much the better.

Drinkmate delivers on all counts, slim, sturdy, matt black (other colours are available) and stylish, it is definitely going to be one of those presents that doesn’t end up in a drawer.

Drinkmate promises, (and delivers) to carbonate water, juice and wine at the press of a button.

What I particularly liked about the Drinkmate was that I am in control of how fizzy it becomes, and of course that takes experimentation (another tick in the box for us boys). It has a slow-release valve so that the gas can be gently released without it inadvertently showering the kitchen and user with liquid. Just don’t ask how I know this.

The machine is easy to assemble, another tick for those of us that treat instructions like the answers to a crossword puzzle i.e. something to be looked at, only at the end when one can progress no further.

Possibly the biggest argument for the Drinkmate, is that it contributes to protecting the environment. I shudder to think how many single use plastic bottles I have bought in order to enjoy my sparkling water. With Drinkmate it is on tap and our recycling bin will remain reassuringly empty of plastic bottles.

Drinkmate is consistently ranked the best home beverage carbonator by major media including The Wall Street Times, Buzzfeed, and House Beautiful. Carbonate any beverage with a press of a button.

Stockist Lakeland £89.99.

Images courtesy of Drinkmate

Search for drinkmate – Lakeland, the home of creative kitchenware

Amazon.co.uk : drinkmate

MORTON S GRAY REVIEWS…

Into a Cornish Wind by Kate Ryder

A gentle, slow-burn romance which I was reading at a very hectic time of my life, so it helped to soothe my senses. A hero, Mac, with a painful past, a heroine, Kat, who doubts love and men, interwoven with an otherworldly insight and a strong sense of place. I do not always like present tense written books, but with Kate Ryder this enables the chapters to be absorbed effortlessly. I am now left with a desire for a sequel and the need for a holiday in Cornwall.

The Secret Keeper by Amanda James

I loved this story. As with Amanda James’ other recent titles, this has a touch of otherworldliness, a poignancy and lots of positivity and hope.

Rosa Fernley is keen to fulfil her grandmother, Jocelyn’s dying wish and that is what she sets out to do on her visit to Tintagel in Cornwall, but along the way she not only discovers more about the past, but also a lot about herself.

I had a fascination with Tintagel as a child and enjoyed revisiting the location of so many myths and legends. The story carried me along and was thought provoking and well written.

The Second Chance Holiday Club by Kate Galley

When I started this book, I wasn’t too sure about the age of the main characters, but this was soon dismissed as I got carried away with the story and the reveal about more detail of Evelyn, Joy and Cynthia’s lives. The revelations really make you think about your own life and in particular “seizing the day”. Sad, funny and uplifting. I really think we need a sequel to this one!

An Invitation to Seashell Bay: Part 1 by Bella Osborne

A classic Bella Osborne story with hot heroes, quirky heroines, misunderstandings, almost impossible strange situations and real life stuff. I finished Part One of An Invitation to Seashell Bay with a big outburst of laughter. Fun stuff. Can’t wait for Part Two.

The Collaborator’s Daughter by Eva Glyn

This book is one of my favourite reads this year! I related to the feelings and thoughts of Fran the main character so much that I could be her. Having visited Dubrovnik in my teens, I could easily imagine walking in the streets and well remember oranges and lemons growing on the trees and the bullet holes in the buildings. Fascinating, intriguing, well researched, poignant, heart-breaking and a great read. Another triumph from Eva Glyn – more please.

An Introduction to Needle Felting by Linda Calver

What a beautiful cover this book has with the delightful, felted animals on the front. It immediately makes you want to pick up the book and open it…

Needle felting involves tangling wool fleece using a needle to make 3D sculptures by adding layers of the wool. The process of working the wool initially feels strange, but it is surprising how quickly you can see a project taking shape and how easy it is to change the size and character of what you are trying to make.

I realised very quickly that I would need to practice to achieve the lovely animals in the book, as mine tended to come out a little lopsided with funny faces to begin with, but the craft is very addictive and I will persevere to achieve the standard I would like.

This book is a great introduction to felting and I think if you only work through the projects contained in its pages you will be more than happy, although probably by then, firmly addicted and wanting to make more.

 

Winners of 2023 CRIMEFEST Awards Announced and what a list it is

CRIMEFEST, one of Europe’s leading crime fiction conventions, has announced the winners of its annual awards. Now in their 16th year, the awards honour the best crime books released in the UK last year. So without more ado, here we go…

The winner of the highly anticipated Specsavers Debut Crime Novel Award, and £1,000 prize monies, is Stacy Willingham for A Flicker in the Dark published by HarperCollins.  A psychological serial killer thriller with a shocking twist, A Flicker in the Dark was an instant New York Times bestseller and Sunday Times Thriller of the Year and is set to be adapted into a major TV series.   Dame Mary Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers who sponsors the award, said: “We’re thrilled to support the debut author prize. As one of the judges, I thoroughly enjoyed reading all the shortlisted titles. Stacy Willingham’s debut, however, was a book I simply couldn’t put down until I had finished it.

The eDunnit Award for the best e-book goes to Sara Gran for The Book of the Most Precious Substance, published by Faber & Faber. The absorbing occult thriller combining intrigue, magic and antiquarian bookselling was praised as “deeply atmospheric” by The Guardian.

Winner of the H.R.F Keating Award for best biographical or critical book on crime fiction is The Life of Crime: Detecting the History of Mysteries and their Creators by Martin Edwards, published by Collins Crime Club. Edward’s opus on the genre, described by the New York Times as a “impressive feat,” recently won a 2023 Edgar Award.

The Last Laugh Award goes posthumously to Christopher Fowler for Bryant & May’s Peculiar London published by Doubleday. The author died aged 69 in March this year, having being diagnosed with cancer three years ago. His curious world of the nation’s oldest serving detectives, has been described as “deliriously eccentric” in the Financial Times, and “devilishly clever” by Val McDermid.

Best Crime Novel for Children, aged 8-12, goes to Sharna Jackson for The Good Turn published by Puffin. With themes of social activism, the spooky mystery from the former Waterstones Children’s Book Prize Category Winner revolves around an internet-loving girl determined to start her own scout troop.

Best Crime Novel for Young Adults, aged 12-16, is awarded to Holly Jackson for Five Survive published by Electric Monkey. A gripping cat-and-mouse thriller, it was The Guardian Best Children’s Book of 2022. 

The Thalia Proctor Memorial Award for Best Adapted TV Crime Drama goes to Slow Horses (seasons 1 & 2), based on the books by Mick Herron. Produced by See-Saw, shown on Apple TV+, the drama, which follows a dysfunctional and disgraced team of MI5 agents, stars Gary Oldman. The award is named in honour of Thalia, a CrimeFest team member and a much-loved figure in the world of crime fiction, and is decided by public vote.

Adrian Muller, Co-host of CRIMEFEST, said: “We are proud to be one of the few genre awards that celebrate e-books, humour, children, and Young Adult novels. Our inclusive awards reflect the values of our convention as accessible and open to all. These awards are a true celebration of the crime genre, which continues to entertain and enlighten so many readers of all ages. We would like to thank Specsavers for their on-going support in celebrating new talent.

Hosted in Bristol, CrimeFest is one of the biggest crime fiction events in Europe, and one of the most popular dates in the international crime fiction calendar, with circa 60 panel events and 150 authors over four days. Featured Guests at the convention this May are Mark Billingham and Elly Griffiths.  Leading British crime fiction reviewers and reviewers of fiction for children and young adults, alongside the members of the School Library Association (SLA) form the CrimeFest judging panels.

CrimeFest was created following the hugely successful one-off visit to Bristol in 2006 of the American Left Coast Crime convention. It was established in 2008. It follows the egalitarian format of most US conventions, making it open to fans, readers, and commercially published authors.

All category winners will receive a Bristol Blue Glass commemorative award.

 

Michael Rowan manages to combine three of his favourite hobbies thanks to a trip on The Piano Boat. https://www.thepianoboat.com/afternoon-tea-cruises

The sun shone on a group of 10 people who had collected on the canal towpath to wait for The Piano Boat to pull alongside.

Within minutes of the stated time, a stately narrowboat silently hoved into view. Its crew of two, the owners Masayuki Tayama and Rhiana Henderson, had dressed appropriately for an afternoon on the canal. We were welcomed aboard and as the sun glinted off the solar panels that powered the aptly named vessel ‘The Rachmaninov’, we set off, noiselessly, on our cruise through the Colne Valley Park

If like me you enjoy period drama, you will be aware of the music salons of former times, where a small group of people gather in wood panelled rooms to listen to someone seated at a piano performing for a select audience.

You may also be aware of other such scenes, where polite society sit at small tables nibbling on delicious cakes and sandwiches whilst sipping tea or perhaps a glass or two of champagne.  Reader, that was exactly what this afternoon had planned for us.

Seated at tables for two, we were offered a welcome drink of tea, coffee or Prosecco, and whilst I cannot comment on the quality of the tea or coffee, I can certainly report that the Prosecco was chilled to perfection. The tables were spaced enough to allow quiet conversation, but also to facilitate conversation with fellow passengers who quickly became, albeit temporary, friends. In the background, loud enough to be enjoyable but not so loud as to stifle conversation, we were treated to a recording of Masayuki playing his beloved Rachmaninov.

The Piano Boat moored up at the side of the canal and the Steinway piano was rolled into the middle of the boat, and then Masayuki changed into his concert suit and explained about the musical programme. Listening to beautiful classical music in a live concert is good, but listening to it when seated mere feet away, is a whole other experience.

Be in no doubt, what you are going to hear, if you decide to follow in our footsteps, is of the finest quality as Masayuki has sold out some seriously impressive concert venues.

Our own private piano recital by this top class musician was over all too quickly, but once the Steinway had been rolled back to its original position it was time for us to cast off to explore further into the Colne Valley Park.

Obviously, sitting listening to classical music in such a beautiful setting, is likely to build an appetite, but we were in safe hands as the classic afternoon tea tasted every bit as good as it looked. No wonder, as it had all been freshly made by Rhiana Henderson, who trained at Pru Leith’s Cookery School. Delicious finger sandwiches, sumptuous scones with cream and jam and delicately flavoured cakes demanded our attention. In the interest of this review, I sampled each and every item.

Rhiana visited each table offering more tea, coffee, and yes, even Prosecco, and then some of us moved to the deck to admire Masayuki steer The Piano Boat through the locks and feel the breeze on our faces.

Four hours later, we returned to our mooring to disembark.

A magical Sunday afternoon had flown by and feeling a little full, and a little merry we made our way back to reality.

This would make the perfect gift for the person who has everything, or is difficult to buy for. My wife and I, however, we will need no excuse to take to the river again to hear such playing and tasting the ultimate afternoon tea.

£130.00 per person cruising, piano recital and afternoon tea.

https://www.thepianoboat.com/afternoon-tea-cruises

 

WRITERS ON THE ROAD: CAROLINE JAMES

Meet Venus. My writing retreat on wheels.

“Come and write in me!” Venus whispered when I reluctantly went to view her. I’d never had any desire to be a caravaner. It suggested too much Hi-de-Hi! But from the day I met Venus last summer, it was love at first sight.

She’s a big twin-axle unit and, combined with the car, as long as an articulated lorry. Spacious with bedroom, bathroom, kitchen-diner and lounge.

Our first few forays into caravanning were in the UK as we took in the delights of Wales and Northumberland, with only minor mishaps with awnings and wrong turnings. I could write in the peace of the countryside or overlooking a beach. Venus has few demands. There’s minimum cleaning and washing and no gardening – no distractions to stop me from writing.

Now we felt prepared for an overseas adventure. Unlike a motorhome, travelling with a large caravan needs plenty of planning. Would we get stuck in the Eurotunnel? Would our ‘BipandGo’ get us through tolls in each country automatically? Would the pitches be big enough for Venus? The list of checks was long. But most significantly, would all the travelling distract from my writing?

Leaving in mid-December to head south through France, the adventure began, and I was too distracted to write as the days progressed. We enjoyed many stop-offs along the way, including Christmas shopping in Lyon and being frozen to the bone in Beziers during the coldest temperatures for years. But once over the border to Spain, the weather warmed up, and we eventually settled for several weeks on the coast, south of Alicante. Now Venus became our Spanish home, and she adapted beautifully. The awning was up, the canopy open, and wine poured. With a novel to finish and perfect, the peace and tranquillity of my writing environment was a writer’s dream, and the words flowed. Distractions from our European neighbours were pleasant. Bonjour! Guten Morgen! They called out and encouraged me to write.

Travelling around Spain sparked many plot ideas. I know that I will have future characters enjoying the mud baths at Lo Pagan on the Costa Blanca and visiting the eclectic rastro market in Calpe or taking in the rich history of Alicante. With so many festivals to enjoy too, I made prolific notes as I planned the outline of a novel.

Heading home, we took a different route. Driving across Spain via Madrid, I saw how beautiful and rich the country is as we encountered miles of orange groves and vineyards. Every town and village seemed to have a castle built precariously high on a hill, or a medieval church tucked around a corner. Approaching the Pyrenees, bathed in glorious sunshine, the view was magnificent, and I didn’t give the drive a second thought.

But now, I know how to write about fear.

Suddenly, the temperature dropped to sub-zero, and driving snow became a blinding blizzard as darkness fell. Venus is a heavy vehicle, and as we drove along the top of mountains with nowhere to shelter and a hundred miles to go, I thought I was going to die. Look out for a scene in a future novel when the terrified characters disappear into a wintery Spanish night – the story will write itself!

Our next trip will avoid the mountains in winter.

Happy travels everyone!

With love,

Caroline

 

Out now – THE CRUISE