The 2023 Beggars Fair – a fabulous Romsey tradition - and we were performing again in Romsey Abbey! News

Romsey Abbey at 11.30am was full to bursting with Beggars Fair goers of all ages who, it turned out, weren’t shy about having a bit of fun choreographed by our MD Marion Maxey. The audience was first encouraged to join in with the choir ‘warm-up’; an alien process to most ears, and pretty tricky for people to get their tongues around. BUT, believe us they really did try!

Then it was over to RMVC to sing five pieces including three where once more the audience was gently coerced into taking part; With the Beat, Katherine Ruhie, Wade in the Water arranged by the same, and finally, to end the short concert, a very lively, arm-waving performance of Sweet Caroline.  In addition, as a tribute to the visiting Romsey Twinners from Treviglio in Italy, we sang an old favourite, Nessun Dorma from the opera Tourandot, and later wiped the sweat from our brows when the Twinners told us they were impressed. The final three songs of the seven performed were the ever-rousing Seize the Day, He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother, and Wellaman a traditional New Zealand Sea shanty.

Photographs by Philip Clewer

Onlookers wouldn’t have known, though we did, and it was our turn to be impressed. Amongst our choristers were several new Choir members who in the very short time of them being with RMVC were able not only to take part in the concert, but to do so with confidence, knowing the music and words.  We were, and are, delighted to have them and we hope they will be joined by other ‘newbies’ in the near future.

So, to sum up it was a very happy day in a musically and culturally happy Romsey with the added bonus that the sun shone!