Singalong Reviews

About 14 years ago, I was invited to an informal meeting by Annie Black and Steph Lawrence (not a relation, though coincidentally she lives two doors from where I spent my youth and teenage years in Tonbridge!) about starting a Singalong group within Tonbridge u3a.

 About a dozen people attended, and we held our first session at Steph’s house. As there were likely to be more coming, we soon decided to move to the URC in the High Street, as parking and key bus routes were close by.

 In the next 9 years, membership gradually grew, with Steph and myself continuing to run the group at the URC, but in time we outgrew the facilities and the best option was to move to St Philip’s Church, where we are now at full capacity, except for special events like our visit from top guitarist, singer and composer Bryn Haworth in May, to which we can invite a few more. 

Steph has been an ideal co-leader, reliable and adaptable, even making the mulled wine for our Christmas session. However, she has recently had to deal with weakening health and memory loss, and I recently received an email from her saying how much she loved the group, but that she was sadly unable to continue. 

Members were in agreement that we send flowers and a signed card to thank her for all that she has done to promote and strengthen the group. 

John Lawrence