26 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Parish</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> - <strong>July</strong>/<strong>August</strong> <strong>2023</strong> Please mention <strong>The</strong> <strong>Parish</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> when responding to advertisements AB0027_<strong>The</strong>_Abbey_Nursery_Campaign_ROUTE_4_125x175_Ads.indd 1 26/05/<strong>2023</strong> 07:47
around the villages — 3 Sing your way through summer <strong>and</strong> autumn in Charvil Village Hall Charvil's piano <strong>and</strong> singing teacher, Suzanne Newman, has arranged a full programme of summer <strong>and</strong> autumn events for everyone who loves to sing together. All the sessions will be held in Charvil Village Hall <strong>and</strong> are open to anyone - you don't have to sing in a choir or have an amazing solo voice! <strong>The</strong> <strong>Parish</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> - <strong>July</strong>/<strong>August</strong> <strong>2023</strong> 27 Sonning <strong>Parish</strong> Council thank Tony Farnese — but it's not goodbye! Saturday 1 <strong>July</strong> 2-4pm, a fun singing afternoon for female voices with a selection of American folk songs arranged for 2-part choir songs including L'il Liza Jane, Shen<strong>and</strong>oah, Simple gifts <strong>and</strong> Buffalo girls. Cost: £10. Monday 17 <strong>July</strong> 8- 9.30pm. Improve your sightsinging — if you sing in a choir <strong>and</strong> want to work on this skill then this is for you! Cost: £10. Mondays 7, 14, <strong>and</strong> 21 <strong>August</strong> A three week course for female voices, 7.30 - 9pm to work on vocal technique plus a medley called Broadway Musical Magic. Songs will include Into the woods, Electricity, Seasons of love <strong>and</strong> Mamma Mia. Cost: £30, includes music. Saturday 2 September 2 - 4pm. A fun singing afternoon for female voices to work on a great medley of songs from Broadway shows including: Hello Dolly, Tomorrow, What I did for love <strong>and</strong> On Broadway Cost: £10 includes music <strong>and</strong> refreshments. Saturday 30 September 2 - 4pm. A fun singing afternoon for boys <strong>and</strong> men to sing some great songs <strong>and</strong> rounds in a friendly <strong>and</strong> supportive environment. Cost: £10, includes music <strong>and</strong> refreshments. For more details <strong>and</strong> to book a place in any of the sessions, contact: Suzanne Newman on: 0118 934 0589 suzanneynewman@btinternet.com Left to right: Trefor Fisher, newly appointed chairman of Sonning <strong>Parish</strong> Council; Lesley Bates, clerk to the council; <strong>and</strong> Tony Farnese, who has stepped down as chairman. Sonning <strong>Parish</strong> Council members have expressed their sincere gratitude to Tony Farnese who has decided to st<strong>and</strong> down as chairman, a position he has served in for the past 8 years. During this time, Tony has risen to many challenges, all for the benefit of the community of Sonning. <strong>The</strong>se include the examination of hundreds of planning applications, several of which were major development proposals. He has campaigned to improve road safety in the parish, including putting pressure on the local authorities for a third Thames crossing, <strong>and</strong> has taken a special interest in the maintenance of Sonning's green spaces, including King George V field <strong>and</strong> the Wharf by Sonning bridge. Members of the council said they were very pleased that Tony will be staying on as a councillor, bringing as he does his wealth of knowledge <strong>and</strong> experience in parish matters. At the annual Sonning <strong>Parish</strong> Council meeting held in May, Trefor Fisher was elected as the new chairman. Sonning <strong>Parish</strong> Council currently comprises seven elected councillors, supported by a clerk. <strong>The</strong>y normally meet on the second Tuesday of each month (except <strong>August</strong>) in the Pavilion, King George V Playing Field. Most of the council business is carried out between these meetings by committees <strong>and</strong> working groups formed from councillors <strong>and</strong> co-opted members from the parish — where appropriate — although decisions are made by the full council. It's never to late for a tree! Sonning Glebe WI is delighted that, at long last, they have planted their tree to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II! It is in King George’s Field <strong>and</strong> was planted by Carole Collier, president, on 29 April. <strong>The</strong> 'Rec' is ideal for the new tree — it was where the WI met during the p<strong>and</strong>emic when many pleasant hours were spent, walking, drinking coffee, chatting <strong>and</strong> meeting up with friends during a difficult time. <strong>The</strong> WI hopes the tree will become a long-lasting memory of the Queen's wonderful reign.