Traditional hymns and comic poetry at church event

ABOUT 50 people came together to sing hymns at All Saints’ Church in Dunsden Church on Sunday.

The Big Hymns Sing was organised by composer and broadcaster Adrian Vernon Fish, the church organist, and he was joined by fellow organist Sean O’Connell, from Bournemouth.

The free evening event featured 12 hymns from the BBC’s Songs of Praise hymn book and poetry readings, including Granny by Spike Milligan, which had the audience laughing.

Before each hymn was sung, Mr Vernon Fish provided a brief history of the composer. The selection included Let All the World in Every Corner Sing, I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say and For All the Saints, which concluded the evening.

There was an interval during which visitors enjoyed wine and canapés provided by the church.

Mr Vernon Fish, who lives in Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, said this was the third such event in five years.

He said: “The organisation of events like this gets a bit tiring as you get older but having been a radio presenter for 40 years, I’m quite happy just chatting to people about what I enjoy.

“All the hymns I chose were ones that people of this kind of age really grew up with — traditional, solid hymn tunes.

“I trained as a church organist, so I’ve grown up with them since Sunday school.

“There were one or two new ones that they might not have known but that’s an excuse to have fun and, as I always say, sing the wrong notes with conviction.

“Because there are so many hymns out there that are so good, and many of them are long forgotten, it’s nice to revive them every now and again and bring back memories for people.

“It was great event and I am so happy so many people came out, especially Sean.”

Christine Bland, of Henley Road, Caversham, said: “It’s very nice coming to these events. I do enjoy singing. Adrian is a wonderful man and is so passionate about what he does. He really enjoys these events.”

John Bodman, a churchwarden, said: “Adrian put on a great event.”