On Saturday 4th of March, the world-famous Morriston Orpheus Choir performed at Lincoln Cathedral for the fourth time in support of St Barnabas Hospice, raising £27,500 in ticket sales and generous donations by the concert attendees on the night.
The performance was part of the 40th-anniversary celebrations for St Barnabas, which was established as the first Lincolnshire hospice care charity in 1982.
Lincoln Cathedral’s beautiful architecture certainly added to the joyous atmosphere on the night, with the Choir performing on a stage erected within the historic Nave.
The Choir’s setlist comprised traditional and original songs in Welsh and English, with some audience members visibly moved by the emotional pieces. There were also plenty of smiles and laughs during the more light-hearted songs, including ‘Be our Guest’ from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Conal Bembridge–Sayers, Musical Director at the Morriston Orpheus Choir, said: “It is wonderful to be here and perform for supporters of hospice care, which is such an important cause.
“I am especially excited, as my grandfather spent his childhood here. He was born in Ireland and was brought up in Lincoln before moving to Wales as an adult. It’s my first time visiting Lincoln, and being able to perform in the Cathedral, which he will, of course, have seen many times, is very special to me.
“If you can support St Barnabas further, for instance, by donating or volunteering, I highly suggest you do. It can mean a world of difference to the people you will be helping.”
Morriston Choir were joined onstage by soloist Rachel Roper who recently won the prestigious MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year Award, and the local Lincoln Male Voice Choir, who performed three songs, including the Dambusters March.
Chris Wheway, Chief Executive at St Barnabas, said in his speech: “By being here tonight, you are making a difference to over 12,000 Lincolnshire people that we support every year. That’s families in your community, who we are honoured to care for. Your support means everything to us, and we couldn’t do it without you.”
St Barnabas would like to thank all the local music lovers who attended the performance, the members of Morriston Orpheus Choir and Lincoln Male Voice Choir, Rachel Roper, and all staff and volunteers who helped run the event.
They would also like to give a special thanks to long-time supporter and Lincoln Male Voice Choir member Keith Hebblewhite who they presented with a gift at the concert’s end. Keith organised for the Choir to support the Hospice with their first performance in 2003 and has been instrumental in the three following Morriston Orpheus Choir concerts.
To find out more about St Barnabas Hospice and to support the cause, visit www.StBarnabasHospice.co.uk
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St Barnabas Hospice is a local independent charity, and every year they support more than 10,500 people across Lincolnshire. They deliver free, high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care and support to people living with a life-limiting or terminal illness, their family and carers. St Barnabas offers the patient and their family hospice care and support via: specialist inpatient care, care at home, day therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, complementary therapy, welfare advice and bereavement support. All the services are free. St Barnabas needs to raise over £6m a year to provide its support and care. Over 900 volunteers play a crucial role in the charity’s success.
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