Story & photo:Julie Bates
Cleethorpes trip A change is as good as a rest and our summer trip was no exception!
On Tuesday 7th July a coach full of SAGE Greenfingers’ staff, members and volunteers swapped gardening and cooking, for sand, sea, fish and chips at Cleethorpes.
Some people went paddling in the sea (or even had a swim!), had a gentle walk round town, took the train along the prom to the Discovery Centre, or picked wild cherries for later! Everyone enjoyed the day out by the sea and we are already looking forward to next year.
Singing in the sun Throughout May and July SAGE Greenfingers held regular singing sessions for women at Abbeyfield Park House, which came alive with music.
The sessions were relaxed and warm, with no auditions to go through! We sang tribute songs, poems set to music, and popular songs suggested by the group. We’ve even tried our hand at percussion.
Our tutor begins with a gentle warm-up and deep breathing, to relax the body and prepare the voice. We learn our parts so you don’t have to be able to read music. By the end of the sessions we are singing in three part harmony and sounding great!
To celebrate our first term we sang at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, and enjoyed a picnic lunch and a tour of the site.
One woman who came regularly said:
“I come because I want to feel happy and more confident, and I always leave feeling better than when I arrive. I’ve told my friends I’ve joined a singing group and they can’t believe it! It’s good to do something outside of the grind of daily life. I love it!”
Following on from this success, SAGE are happy to announce that the weekly sessions started back at Abbeyfield Park House on 7th September and will be running until 7th December, with a break for half term. Please do get in touch if this sounds like something you would like to join in with. For more information please contact Miriam on 0114 274 3651, email miriam@sagesheffield.org.uk or visit our website at https://www.sagesheffield.org.uk