Review: Ethelflaeda Festival at Romsey Abbey

Ms Nokes, who was elected chair of the Women and Equalities Committee in 2020, spoke passionately about her work at an event on Friday, October 20 at Romsey Abbey. 

For many, it was an evening to prepare an open mind, to set aside political conscious bias and to listen to what Ms Nokes had to say.

The audience was invited to ask questions and this led to a serious, gritty and thought-provoking discussion which Ms Nokes expertly answered with ease and authenticity.

The festival continued until Sunday, October 22. A concert by a Military Wives Choir was held on Saturday. 

It included a mixture of popular numbers, such as 'Danny Boy', and those which, like 'Home Thoughts from Abroad', have become well-known because they were specially written for the Military Wives Choirs.

Between musical numbers, members of the choir explained the importance of the Military Wives choirs and how many of those singing in the concert had belonged to several choirs as they moved between from military bases. 

The accounts given by choir members were heart-rending as they described life as a military wife and spoke of the support and companionship provided by the choirs. 

The audience were very appreciative of all aspects of the concert and the A Cappella rendition of "Bring him home" from Les Misérables was exceptionally well received. 

It was a memorable concert that gave a great insight into life in the armed forces as well as very enjoyable music.

The president and preacher at the Festal Eucharist on Sunday was Revd Canon Prof Liz Stuart, former vice-chancellor of Winchester University. 

At the informal Abbey Vine service, Canon Sue Wallace presided and played the harp.

Prior to becoming chaplain at Truro Cathedral, Sue sang with the Abbey Choir. She also works with the Transcendence Trust, a charity supporting church mission outreach along with creative forms of worship.

Sue explained the important role the psalms have played in our Abbey since the time of St Ethelflaeda when all 150 psalms would have been sung daily. She said that we will always find a psalm to suit our mood whether we are feeling angry, anxious, joyful or full of love.

Sue, the author of The Rhythmic Psalter, led the audience in a Rhythmic Psalm workshop with everyone being invited to play a piece of percussion. Abbey Vine children made instruments during the service with Louise.

Abbey Vine is usually a place where a joyful noise is made to the Lord and we thank Sue for bringing her harp to our Abbey Vine community.

By Rowland Davies with additional reviews by Lucy Lewis and Liz Wagner