My six-month stay as a family visitor in England is drawing to a close, and I will soon be back in my home state of Maine. I’ve loved being here in Barnard Castle with my true love David Wallace-Lawrence, walking the public footpaths, serving as a co-clerk at Cotherstone Quaker Meeting, and working on musical projects.
It’s been a joy and a privilege to continue bell ringing at the tower of St. Mary’s, right next door, as well as the related art of change ringing (not tune ringing) on handbells. Here’s some handbell ringing for (and with!) the Mickleton Lunch Club. Also shown are those of us who rang tower bells for the Coronation of King Charles III. I’m a natural egalitarian but I leave any debate about the UK’s constitutional monarchy to British citizens. It was a pleasure to ring with my friends!
I’ve also been bringing my ukulele along to local Music & Memories dementia support singalong sessions led by Mike Bettison.
I continue to study and learn songs of the American abolitionists. Many of these were new words set to familiar. melodies. I’ve been searching out the original sheet music to the old popular hits and transplanting the antislavery lyrics. I look forward to sharing this material back in the States.
I have a variety of performances coming up once I’m back stateside. Please see my calendar for the details.