Participatory Choral Evensong, St Bartholomew's church, Otford

Our Treasurer and Membership Secretary writes:

The visit will start at 1.00 pm. at St Botolph's, Lullingstone (DA4 0JA). If you wish to eat locally beforehand, the Malt Shovel serves food, and is conveniently located almost opposite the turning for Lullingstone from Eynsford; it is about 10 minutes' walk from Eynsford Station. If you are in need of a lift from Eynsford to Lullingstone (which is otherwise about half an hour's walk), please let me know when booking, so that I can make arrangements.

The church itself is located in an idyllic setting within the grounds of Lullingstone Castle. From Eynsford, proceed along  Riverside (the church is signposted from the main road) , across the bridge/ford, and follow the road, under the Eynsford Viaduct, past the Roman Villa, and on to the Castle, on the left. Please park outside the Castle, and walk in through the main entrance; the church is immediately visible. We will have a talk from a very knowledgeable churchwarden about the interesting features of the church, and a short while to hear and play the organ (a very small but sweet-sounding Harrison, originally from 1879, with 5 stops, straight flat pedalboard, restored by Martin Cross in 1995). Then we leave at 2.00 for St Bartholomew's, Otford (15 minutes' drive - TN14 5PD), which means returning to the A225 and heading straight along that road, through Shoreham to Otford. The church car park will be signposted from the roundabout in the middle of the village.

I will briefly introduce the 1913 Spurden Rutt organ, which members will then be able to play. 

KCOA members will augment the choir to sing Evensong under my direction, rehearsing from 3.00. Afternoon tea will be incorporated, as usual, at 4.00. Evensong will be at 5.00. Members are encouraged to volunteer to play the organ for one item in the Evensong, including music beforehand, hymns, the psalm, the canticles, the anthem, and a postlude.

The choral music is as follows, with a heavy emphasis on Stanford in his centenary year:

Introit: Crossing the bar - Parry

Responses: Ayleward

Psalm 150 - Stanford

Canticles: Stanford in C

Anthem: Te Deum in Bb - Stanford

Hymns: How shall I sing that majesty (Coe Fen) and When in our music (Engelberg - Stanford)

Copies will be made available on the day.

Please let me have your bookings as soon as possible, and by Saturday 9th November at the latest, to ensure availability of music and (most important) tea. When booking, if wishing to sing, please state your voice part, and if wishing to play, let me know and state any preference for which part of the service you would like, ideally, to accompany.

The charge made on the day, to cover tea and donation to the church, will be £8 (and as always, the exact money will be most welcome!)

I could not find any engineering work directly affecting trains to Eynsford on 16th November, but please make sure to check if you plan to travel by train.