May 2023

Organised by FOIV, Iffley Music Society, Friends of St Mary’s, Iffley History Society, the Church and many others.

The community concert in the Church Hall offered a wonderful range of music, welcomed by the enthusiastic audience. The Oxford Waits in period costume got us off to great start with bits of 17th century history with ribald humour and with music – hurdy-gurdy and other less familiar instruments – led with great gusto by Tim Healey. Then came a Handel Sonata, played beautifully by a local quartet (Evelyn Sanderson, Martin Reed, David and Katharine Patrick); this was followed by some magical Chopin from Paul Page. To end the first part, we enjoyed cello and piano playing by Alan Garriock and Anna Barnett, including pieces by Bach, Rachmaninov and Shostakovich.
After the interval, we delighted in the tinkling sound of the Iffley Handbell Ringers playing ‘The Bells of St Mary’s’ before the spirited guitar duo of Gerald Garcia and Alison Bendy gave us works by Peter Maxwell Davis, Granados, Manuel de Falla and Turlogh O’Carolan. To end, Brian Todd and Helena Newsom, with accompanist Emma Lowe on piano, sang songs by Roger Quilter, Ivor Novello, Liza Lehmann, Arthur Sullivan and Landon Ronald.
What a wonderful musical afternoon!

And then came the Tea – cakes in many different sizes and flavours; sandwiches too, and colourful fresh fruit – all provided by volunteers who helped make this a special occasion.
The Raffle went well, with gifts kindly given from Kate Griffin, Christopher and Julia Smith, and Gail and John McClintock.
All day, the Glebe Field was open and many took the opportunity of a reasonably sunny day to enjoy a picnic there or to walk around. Later, the national peal of bells could be heard from St Mary’s.

We are delighted that Concert donations raised around £450 for local charity Refugee Resource.
Thank you to all the players and performers, and to those who brought food, served teas, moved chairs/tables, put up bunting, cleared up and staffed the entrance, and to everyone who came along to enjoy the celebration.