The first is on Friday November 2 when we are holding an open choir rehearsal, beginning at 6pm and finishing at 7.45pm. This is open to parents and children - aged eight or over, perhaps seven if they are good readers, who are interested in the work of the choir.

If your child is musical, enjoys singing and would like to be part of a highly successful choir, this is an ideal opportunity to come and see us 'in action'- and talk to the choirmaster about the Royal School of Church Music Training Scheme and the benefits of belonging to such an organisation.

The choristers receive an excellent grounding in the aural, historical and theoretical aspects of music, as well, of course, as learning some of the vast repertoire of music associated with centuries of worship. They are part of a continuing tradition reaching back for over one thousand years.

Together with complementing and enhancing the National Curriculum, not just in music but many other areas, membership of the choir provides an invaluable opportunity to make friends from different backgrounds but who have a common interest.

It can also lead to much greater things.


Tea, coffee, squash and biscuits will be provided as an additional enticement. I would be more than happy to talk with you after rehearsal finishes at 7.45pm but if you can only stay for a short while please make sure you take a leaflet away and return it to me - address is on the form - and we can organise a mutually convenient occasion to meet.

I look forward to welcoming and talking with you on Friday November 2.
The second event is on Saturday November 10 when St Michael's is hosting an RSCM Day. Choirs from around the Oxford Diocese have been invited to come and have a fun day learning music, which will culminate in a full cathedral-style Choral Evensong. Emma Gibbins, from All Saints High Wycombe, will be our organist on the day and I will be conducting. Members of the RSCM Buckinghamshire District will also be in attendance.

The programme will be:
Introit: We wait for Thy loving kindness, O God
Responses: Smith 5 part with Stone's Our Father
Canticles: Harwood in A flat
Anthem: Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts - Purcell
Hymns: When on our music, God is glorified; O God our help in ages past; Christ is made a sure foundation.

The day starts at 11am with Choral Evensong at 4pm, ending at 5pm.
For further details, including application forms etc - there is still just time to apply - please either contact Peter Willett on 01844 343487, or pandbw@beeb.net or look on the RSCM Oxford web site.

If you would simply like to come and hear the results of our labours and good choral music we would love to see you at the traditional 4pm Choral Evensong at St Michael's, Aston Clinton.

1st Aston Clinton Guides. Last week the Guides had some leftover rice crispies and cornflakes from a sleepover and some leftover chocolate and marshmallows from making summores.

As we don't like to be wasteful, the Guides turned our leftovers into golden pops, chocolate cornflake crunchies and marshmallow pops and everyone had a plate to take home. Two of our older Guides attended their Baden Powell Challenge weekend last week with a group of people they didn't know, they made some new friends and spent the night in an iron-age hut.