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Singers from St Mary's Church keep the tradition going

A BRIGHT and sunny May Day morning greeted the members of St Mary's Church in Fordingbridge as they climbed the 300 odd steps to the top of the church tower to uphold a centuries old tradition revived for the last 25 years.

Among the many songs sang from the tower to greet the summer was "Summer is comin'" which is the oldest written part-song in England.

And it was written in the 13th century at the time when St Mary's Church was first built.

Director of music at the church, William Schering, who revived the tradition, was once more conducting the singers and Fordingbridge funeral director Ian Newman wore full 18th century town crier regalia as the master of ceremonies for the occasion.

And afterwards there was a sumptuous breakfast of bacon butties and muffins cooked by Mark Ward and Caroline Schering, and served to over 100 singers and observers.

The church hall had been decorated for spring and was like a "garden indoors".

Martin Westlake from sandy Balls Holiday Centre commented on the wonderful atmosphere: "It was full of excitement, partly at being up so early, but also with the anticipation of summer."

3:42pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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