St Barbara’s Garrison Church, Brompton

Despite the bitingly cold weather, The Royal Engineer’s Garrison Church, St Barbara’s, Brompton, was packed on the evening of Friday, 11th December, as members of the Province and their families and friends celebrated a Family Festival of Christmas Music.

After a greeting from the Padre, Bother Patrick Aldred, the first verse of the opening carol was beautifully sung by 16 year old Tabitha Reynolds, an accomplished and award winning soprano, who is a scholar at the King’s School Rochester. Later in the concert Tabitha sang the Alleluia from Mozart's Exultate Jubilate. The conductor, George Vass, an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, led the audience through a stunning programme of traditional Christmas music. Enthusiastic singing included a verse of ‘Away in a manger’, sung by two young children recruited on evening from the audience. The mixed choir was assembled for the occasion from the City of Canterbury Chamber Choir, Whitstable and Canterbury Choral Societies, The BBC Symphony Chorus, The Provincial Choir and their partners and friends. The organist, in the unfortunate absence due to illness of St. Barbara’s resident organist, was Christopher Moore, a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.

The most enjoyable evening concluded after the Provincial Grand Master, Michael Bailey, presented 3 cheques totalling £2000, shared between the Mayor of Medway, Cllr David Royle, who received a donation to The Mayors Charity Fund; the Chaplain General, the Venerable Steven Robbins, who received a donation for his charity of the year, Veterans’ Aid; and St. Barbara’s Church, which benefited from a cheque presented to Brigadier Baveystock, Commandant of the Royal School of Military Engineering.

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