A Gospel Bell Christmas, Kineton, Warwickshire, 16 December 19

Gospel Bell played at Kineton Sports & Social Club on Monday 16 December, dedicating the evening to the tireless work of the late Steve Cadd who did so much to sustain local music in Kineton. The evening was a concert-style event and just about every seat in the main bar area was taken. As with all our work, the band played free of charge with donations in support of the Air Ambulance service.

A Gospel Bell Christmas! Left to right: Richard, Sean, Troy, Donald, David

The band played a 90 minute set, opening with Sean’s composition: ‘A new star in heaven’ a song inspired by the friendship that he, Donald and many others shared with Steve Cadd. Some of the audience wanted to hear the song again and so Sean obliged at the end of the evening while those listening made recordings on their phones. Our music was interspersed with some inimitable story-telling from Donald, including a powerful seasonal story based on the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 19 verses 23-26. We should have recorded this too!

Donald in story-telling and banjo-playing mode!

Gospel Bell would like to thank the event organisers for inviting us to play and for a memorable evening with a large, appreciative audience of people who sang with us.

A memorable evening with a big group of people ready to sing!

As we look back on 2019, there have been numerous other highlights and so a heartfelt thanks to all the organisations, audiences and congregations – for great singing with us and for the generous donations made to charitable causes. Roll-on 2020!

Richard Teare and Donald McCombie

For Gospel Bell

Adderbury Christmas Tree Festival, 6-8 December 19

Gospel Bell were delighted to play and sing again on Sunday 8 December at the annual Christmas tree festival and fund-raiser organised by St Mary’s, Adderbury.

Left to right: David, Sean, Donald, Troy and Richard

Reflecting on the event, their website comment is as follows: What a wonderful weekend of community spirit, sparkling trees shining out their messages of love, hope and joy and live music and dance, the sixth Adderbury Christmas Tree Festival turned out to be.  The trees were spectacular and so much thought and care had gone into the decorating meaning that each one was a winner in its own right.  Amazingly during the weekend over 640 votes in total were cast for the best decorated trees by members of the public.

Thank you St Mary’s!

Our thanks to Hannah for her lovely photos and to Emily Reed, Clare Lester, Liz Simpson and their team for inviting us and as always, making us feel so welcome. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event!