HARVEST festival celebrations in Okehampton at Fairplace Church this weekend will mark the arrival of autumn. Deryck Stephens will be leading a family gift service at 10.30am, and at 6.30pm most of the churches in Okehampton will combine for a United Songs of Praise with popular harvest hymns and songs interspersed with seasonal readings. The church will be decorated and will be open during the coffee morning on Saturday, September 18, for anyone to look around. l Choral singers in Okehampton are getting their voices ready for the beginning of Okehampton Choral Society?s 2005/06 season on Monday, September 26 at 7pm at Fairplace Church. The society is now in its 35th year and is well known for its varied programme of music which culminates in three main performances - at Christmas, the spring concert and summer concert- around the district. The group which has around 80 singers welcomes new members, especially tenors and basses, who have an enthusiasm for music and singing. Further details can be obtained from members or 01837 52169. l The recent performances of show songs presented at Fairplace Church and Hatherleigh Town Hall were a resounding success. Singers from Hertfordshire, Devon and Cornwall were brought together by Brian Abell and they delighted the audience with a programme of songs and ensembles from Gilbert and Sullivan to Donald Swann. For many the highlight of the evening was a spoof opera called Antonio in which well-known operatic melodies and actions helped to unfold a tragic melodrama. The singers were accompanied by Christine Cleverdon and John Holland.
