Talk by Singing Vicar

The Scarborough Ladies Lifeboat Guild monthly luncheon was held at the Red Lea Hotel. Once again the meal was superb and the staff were efficient and friendly throughout. The guest speaker the Rev Mike Leigh was very impressed.

Sixty-six members at - tended and one guest plus our speaker. The raffle raised £117 and prizes were won by Virginia Rees, Christine Cox, Betty Dale, Rona Allport, Jean Rowley, Pat Marr, Mildred Steel, and Ann Parker.

The Guild has raised a substantial amount for the RNLI and SupaCat Tractor appeal, with events held up to November l ast year. These were a Spring Lunch at the Mount, afternoon tea at Plaxton Court, afternoon tea at Palm Court, Fun Antiques Quiz at the Royal Hotel, a Christmas Fayre at Park Manor, and a Christmas Lunch at South Cliff Golf Club, so a big thank you to all for your support.

We also had three events which were sponsored by the Red Lea Hotel, one of which unfortunately had to be cancelled. A quiz night with a twocourse Italian meal was held in May, and a traditional dinner dance was held in September. A big thank you to Sara and the staff who made them both an outstanding success.

The guest speaker the Rev Mike Leigh, the “Singing Vicar”, gave a talk entitled “From Opera to Ministry ” inter - spersed with songs. He started with a story about a boy of seven who hated going to Sunday School, the vicar asked if anyone would like to join the choir but t he minimum age was eight. His brother was in the choir and got paid 25p for weddings! If the boy could join the choir he wouldn’t have to attend Sunday School, he could play football and get some pocket money. He begged his mother to let him join so they squeezed him in. That boy was the Rev Mike Leigh!

He grew up with opera, his father loved it. The Rev Leigh had no real musical ability, he could not play the piano but loved singing, at which point he then sang us his favourite song “Steal Away”.

He att e nded t he Welsh College of Music and Drama and then got a job with Opera North, singing was his life. He then sang us some opera.

It was in 1998/99 that he relinquished music, took a step of f aith and decided to become a vicar, and was sent to Orchard Park, Hull. In 2006 he became the vicar at St Mark’s Church, Newby. He finished his talk with the song “Hippopotamus” and we all joined in the chorus. The chairman gave a vote of thanks, and the Rev Leigh said he was pleased to support the RNLI.

The next event is the spring fair to be held on March 28 at St Andrew’s Church, Ramshill. There will be lots happening, a tombola, Name the Easter Bunny, a raffle, children’s Easter stall and more. Admission will be £2.50 to include refreshments, children free

We are also very pleased to have a new addition to the committee: Liz Ashworth was voted on at the annual general meeting and was presented with her badge by the chairman and made welcome by the other members. Liz is already proving to be a great asset to the team.

Anyone wishing to know more about the Ladies Lifeboat Guild can contact the chairman, Gladys Freeman, on (01723) 366630.