The exodus…. The exodus began on Thursday 2nd December and continued for three days. On Saturday morning the last few were woken at some ungodly hour and, with four hours of darkness still to come, made their weary way to the agreed departure point. The journey would take them some 230 miles in a southerly direction. Their final destination lay 100 miles off the coast. By 10:00am on Saturday 4th December everyone had arrived on the remote island and they had gathered at the pre-arranged meeting point with all those that had gone before. One by one, each took the coded script from their bags and assembled into organised rows. Their leader stood at the front facing them, …… he beckoned for silence, …… a glance to his left, …… and everyone was ready…… Read on ....

No dream
By the time we had got past the first two or three bars of "The Heavens are Telling" (Haydn - The Creation) I realised I was not dreaming. I just happened to be one of those woken in the early hours of Saturday morning to join the rest of Finham Choral Society, Coventry in Jersey for our concert on Saturday evening.
As we got the 'feel' of our new venue the 10:00am rehearsal passed reasonably successfully. After some repositioning of the grand piano, and a quick run through for the soloist, choral duet and quartet we were ready.
Many of us spent the afternoon exploring the town of St Helier or doing a bit of Christmas shopping. As the early evening dusk fell, King Street and Queen Street were aglow with Christmas lights and shop window decorations.

The Concert
The concert, which consisted of some well loved traditional pieces, some modern pieces, piano recital, choral duet and choral quartet, was well received by an appreciative audience. There was general consensus between both audience and choir members that everything went off exceedingly well.
It was disappointing that we could not accept an impromptu invitation to join with one of Jersey's choirs to sing parts of the Messiah on Sunday evening - most of us would have departed for home by that time. (Perhaps it's an offer that might be repeated some time in the future?)
The 'after concert' get-together was a most enjoyable affair with much laughter and food helped along with copious supplies of alcohol!

Glorious weather
Sunday, a free day, started gloriously sunny and (for the time of year) a very mild morning. Some of the choir took the opportunity to walk along the beach before once again slating their thirst with various beverages!
There was entertainment in Royal Square with bands, dancing and a children's choir. A small market provided another opportunity to peruse and buy Christmas goods including home made delicacies, flower arrangements and craft items. Shops in and around King Street were open during the afternoon until 6:00pm, so those with late flights back could spend what money they had left over.