Ightham Mote House Marc Chagall Window at Tudeley Parish Church Courtyard of Ightham Mote House We finished with a splendid black tie dinner in the great Baron’s Hall at Penshurst Place, warmed by a large charcoal brazier in the centre of the room. Past Master Lynn Walters thanked the Master for giving us such an enjoyable weekend away. The Fireplace they raised the roof for After a light lunch we visited the small parish church of Tudeley, the only church in the world to have all its twelve windows painted by the great Russian artist Marc Chagall. The Master addresses the Weekend Revellers 6
NEW TREATS AMONGST THE OLD The <strong>Horn</strong>ers’ Company’s Carol Service, held on Thursday 20 th December 2012 was a mixture of old and new delights. After welcoming us to the Church of St James Garlickhythe, the Priest-in- Charge, the Reverend Guy Treweek handed the reins to our Honorary Chaplain, the Venerable Brian Lucas CB to take his first Carol Service for us. The readings followed the traditional pattern, from the foretelling of Christ’s birth and kingdom by Isaiah read by our Clerk, Raymond Layard. On to the salutation of the Angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary as recorded by St Luke read by Court Assistant Alderman Gordon Haynes and then a new delight – an extract about the preparations for Christmas from Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol, read by a guest from the Savage Club, Lynton Black. From there the Renter Warden, Jack Bunyer, gave us St Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus and it then fell to the Upper Warden, Keith Pinker, to give us St Luke’s report of the arrival of the Angel Gabriel to announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. The Master, Georgina Scott, then gave us St Matthew’s account of how the wise men were led by the star to Jesus. Lynton Black then returned to the lectern not only to declaim an extract from Charles Dickens’ Pickwick Papers, but also to add his musical skills to presenting Mr Wardle’s preparations for Christmas at Manor Farm in Dingly Dell. Finally our Honorary Chaplain unfolded St John’s account of the great mystery of the Incarnation. And what of the music? Well, accompanied on the organ by Honorary Freeman Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley, the congregation enjoyed a good sing! Such carols as Once in Royal David’s City, The Holly and the Ivy, I Saw Three Ships, We Three Kings, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, Good Christian Men Rejoice and finally O Come All Ye Faithful, had the rafters ringing. In between the readings and the congregational carols, Honorary Freeman Richard Glasspool conducted the 17-strong choir of <strong>Horn</strong>ers and friends in five un-accompanied carols. In these they Decked the Halls, noted that it was Past Three O’Clock, did Sing Lullaby, told us of Good King Wenceslas (a good combination of male and female voices here) and then Ding Donged Merrily on High. Uplifted by the service the capacity congregation repaired to Painters’ Hall, there to take liquid refreshment, good food and excellent bonhomie. This year the after-dinner entertainment was happily home-made, with our new Beadle, Stephen Henderson organising Company members (including the Master and her Wardens and Clerks) together with many guests into a wonderful army of DIY musicians. This ‘orchestra’ accompanied Stephens’s tale of winter-time fun, with bird songs, bells, gongs, whistles, rattles, popping corks and many other sounds, all produced on items of percussion brought in by Stephen. It proved to be a great experience for both the performers and their attentive audience. Finally, Past Master Emeritus Jeremy Cartwight sang Flanders and Swanns’ song The English are Best, which he had modified to enquire as to the best Company – the <strong>Horn</strong>ers of course! David Brown CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING 16TH MAY 2012 Now in its 19 th year in its present incarnation, The Annual Inter-Livery Clay Pigeon Shooting Competition is a major event in the year of the <strong>Horn</strong>er’s Shooting Group. This year four teams competed under the <strong>Horn</strong>ers’ banner in an occasion which involves over 450 competitors representing more than 50 Companies. Held at Holland & Holland’s Shooting Ground, each team of four must attempt ten stands each one representing a variety of birds such as quail, pigeon, grouse, teal, ducks, pheasants and partridge. The day begins with a hot breakfast and then the teams assemble to start the course. Four pairs of clay target are presented at each stand, either as simultaneous pairs or one following the other. Each team’s progress is interrupted by The Flush where shooting together each team faces 80 targets thrown fast and furiously above their heads. Arguably, the most difficult stand was The High Tower where two differently sized targets were presented together but on different flight paths. 7
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