Members attended Evensong in the Cathedral on Saturday 12th October 2019 which was sung by both choirs. The new Director of Music and Organist, Francesca Massey, could not have chosen a better anthem for the old choristers – Hubert Parry’s I was Glad. Following the service, the Annual General Meeting took place in the Ithamar Chapel in the crypt.

That evening, the 110th annual dinner was held in the King’s School Conference Centre. Guests were Benjamin Charles and Tom Morgan, the new Principal of King’s School and the Preparatory School respectively.
The menu was:
Pea and Yorkshire fettle croquettes
Rib-eye beef with roasted cauliflower, baton carrots and leaks mornay
Summer Pudding
Welsh rarebit with chives

Despite the disappointingly low number present, the evening was much enjoyed by all and finished with the usual rounds, sang with gusto.

The Association launched an appeal in 2017 via our Choir Trust, which is a registered charity, to raise funds to assist with the finance the installation of recording equipment in the Quire and the Nave of Rochester Cathedral to enable choral services to be broadcast on the Internet. We are liaising with the Dean and Chapter in accordance with their five year strategic plan. The Committee has therefore agreed to continue with our fundraising efforts and will support the Cathedral financially in respect of improving the sound system capabilities when requested to do so. A fund has been set up at STEWARDSHIP and you can contribute online by credit or debit card either for a one off gift or several small pledge payments. You can access the STEWARDSHIP website at http://www.give.net/20214100 . STEWARDSHIP will reclaim 25% in Gift Aid for us (less a small administration fee). Alternatively, cheques are always welcome and should be in favour of Rochester Cathedral Old Choristers’ Association and marked on the reverse ‘Appeal’ and should be sent to the Secretary. Further donations will be gratefully received.

Ian Henderson has given notice of his intention to stand down as our Treasurer at the next Annual General Meeting due to personal circumstances. A volunteer is requested to fill this important post and rather than wait until October 2020, a successor is ideally sought as soon as possible in order that there may be a managed handover. Any member interested in taking over the position, please contact our Hon. Secretary, Tom Gough, as soon as possible. (thesecretary@rcoca.org.uk)

Please do read up on the RCOCA treasurer role.