Carol Concert 2009

[englishangel]

The first year I went was after the end of term, and I would not have called the two young men who stood behind me and gave passable impressions of Bryn Terfel, children.

[Jo]

Do we need to get tickets in advance or can we just pay on the door? Things are a bit volatile here at the moment, and we may need to decide at the last moment. Maria flies in the night before and will be staying in Kent with Kirri - plans beyond that are still a bit fuzzy but we would like to be there if it is at all possible.

Oh, I do hope you can come, Frances. It would be lovely to meet you all!

[englishangel]

The 'Blue' reader ..I think two years ago ... was the OG Presentee, Georgia (named Governor Miss Tucker), done on behalf of her mum (Hertford OB Caron) who had broken her ankle and was not able to get there.
Whether there will be children in uniform giving out programmes etc. this year remains to be seen. Term will have ended.

Thank you Kerren, I knew there was something about an injury, but couldn't remember the details.

[Fjgrogan]

Given that Caron is a fairly distinctive spelling of the name, would that be Caron Scott (as was)?

[kerrensimmonds]

No, sorry Frances!

[Jo]

Given that Caron is a fairly distinctive spelling of the name, would that be Caron Scott (as was)?

It's Caron Haskell/Garrod, but I can't remember which is her maiden name and which is her married name. She was a few years below me at Hertford.

[Fjgrogan]

Can anyone advise me what would be the most straightforward way to get to the church from Waterloo? I prefer not to use taxis. Many many years ago there used to be a Red Arrow bus that went straight to St Sepulchre's, and apparently St Andrew's is 'just round the corner', but I have no idea whether that bus still exists. Or alternatively from Victoria? I am still hoping that I can persuade Maria to come along, but much will depend on how young Xander feels about being abandoned by Mummy on his first evening in England. They will have been travelling all the previous day and going straight to Auntie Tigger's (aka Kirri) near Rochester, whom (pedants, please note!) Xander will not remember having met before. Of course Daddy will still be there - he is not into carol singing! I think that Hanna might find it an adventure to travel on an English train to the City of London and meet all these strange people that Mummy and Grandma know only through the computer, but of course Mummy might appreciate a childfree evening - or just an early night!! Anyway I am hoping to be there if I can get my head round TfL.

[jhopgood]

Can anyone advise me what would be the most straightforward way to get to the church from Waterloo? I prefer not to use taxis. Many many years ago there used to be a Red Arrow bus that went straight to St Sepulchre's, and apparently St Andrew's is 'just round the corner', but I have no idea whether that bus still exists. Or alternatively from Victoria? I am still hoping that I can persuade Maria to come along, but much will depend on how young Xander feels about being abandoned by Mummy on his first evening in England. They will have been travelling all the previous day and going straight to Auntie Tigger's (aka Kirri) near Rochester, whom (pedants, please note!) Xander will not remember having met before. Of course Daddy will still be there - he is not into carol singing! I think that Hanna might find it an adventure to travel on an English train to the City of London and meet all these strange people that Mummy and Grandma know only through the computer, but of course Mummy might appreciate a childfree evening - or just an early night!! Anyway I am hoping to be there if I can get my head round TfL.

http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/X ... P_REQUEST2

According to this you take the 341 bus from stop F at Waterlooand get off at Holborn Circus/Fetter Lane and then walk.

[Fjgrogan]

Thank you for the information - fortunately you provided the vital bit at the end because my computer for some reason refuses to link to the website. 341 bus it is then, and thank God for the Freedom Pass!

[Great Plum]

Does anyone know of any good pubs around for after? I haven't yet heard of any YOB event...

[kerrensimmonds]

It's a bit of a distance but when I met Josh last week and told him about the original Counting House in Great Tower Street (now the 'Hung Drawn and Quartered' pub, I believe - still with the CH crest stained glass windows) he expressed great enthusiasm about going there after the Carol Concert , because he had never known that the Counting House had even been in London and had only ever known it in Horsham though he thought there was something funny about the building being newer than the others! (HELLO.. yes, I went to Great Tower Street for my interview etc. in 1957). But, as I said, this is quite a distance from Holborn/St. Andrews.

Matt.. it needs someone (?you?) to find somewhere and to publicise it, drawing people to the venue........

[jtaylor]

Does anyone know of any good pubs around for after? I haven't yet heard of any YOB event...

Would you be able to organise/advertise/pull-together a YOBs event on behalf of the CHOBA?

The CHOBA is a VERY small organisation with very limited time/resources, with one (very over-worked!) administrator, and a volunteer board all of which have full-time jobs/responsibilities of one sort or another - so we do rely on volunteers to pull stuff together, and if anyone has offers of help to pull sections/events together, do give Margaret in the CHOBA Office a shout...

JT

[Great Plum]

I can have a go but I'm not too familiar with the area...
I'll ask on Facebook!

That sounds like a great idea for a pub Kerren but it's nearly 3km from the church which is probably a bit far!

[Jo]

Chris isn't bad on London pubs. He's just gone to get his good beer guide - but will make sure he filters out any sleazy old fleapits, however good their beer is

[Jo]

Nearest good beer guide pubs are probably not close enough. But, thanks to Google Street View, I've "walked" around a bit and there seem to be a couple of options further south on Shoe Street - a Youngs pub called the City Retreat, and a more upmarket wine bar called The Last next door to it. The latter seems to be in a modern shopping mall, and may possibly not stay open late. But the City Retreat seems quite well reviewed as a genuine, good value pub.

Chris has selflessly volunteered to take a trip over there (he works in Mile End) one lunchtime early next week, and will report back

However, if anyone else already knows the area and has any other suggestions, no problem at all.