INTRODUCTION

Momentum is building! This is with reference to both DSO’s activities but also of course for the nation’s
celebration of Her Majesty’s amazing achievement of longevity and public service! So many of us are in awe of
the manner in which Queen Elizabeth conducts herself, even at her relatively advanced age, but the same
could be said for all of those who we have seen in our DSO sessions over the last 3 years.

NEWS FROM THE TRUSTEES

Although we have been buoyed by the sight of individuals and groups on Zoom it has been a source of
immense joy to have begun to welcome back in person Care Home groups in the last three weeks. As trustees
we are only too well aware of the continuing logistical challenges faced by the Care sector in effecting offsite
visits. We wanted you to know that the Trustees have been visiting Care Homes in person to speak with staff in
order to reassure them that we are still operating on Thursday mornings with our characteristic enthusiasm
and good cheer. We have also supplied a number of Care Homes with new song books to allow them to join us
on Zoom until they can meet up with us again in person.

Thursday mornings have continued to provide not only an extension of our dance routines but also a new
provision, that of percussion! Bells, cymbals, whistles, tambourines and the sort of triangles which we just
about mastered in our Infant school orchestras. Those with a natural rhythm have even managed to combine
striking a drum whilst moving around the hall in an impressive tightly choreographed ‘Love Train’ routine so
perhaps there is an opportunity to take this onto Britain’s Got Talent? It has been admitted by a number of
Thursday participants that they have been working outside of these sessions to plan moves and shapes to
share with the world – they really do need to get a life!

We are always making suggestions to Gareth about ensuring that our Thursday morning repertoire is fresh.
Many of you will have noticed the Supremes and Tom Jones have made appearances in the last 3 weeks. ‘You
Can’t Hurry Love’ along with some impressive formation dance steps and some less impressive dad-dancing to
‘It’s Not Unusual’ have been evident for all to see. The thoughts which we have for further extension of our
song catalogue have included some Matt Munro, Louis Armstrong, Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark. The
serious point worth making is that these songs need to be catchy, not too wordy whilst having a level of
repetition which allows them to be followed easily. The biggest practical difficulty is that Gareth has not
always been exposed to these classics in his professional or social life!

A reminder that our DSO ‘home’ is the Everyday Champion’s Centre in Havelock Street is ideal for those living
with dementia and for their carers. Mica & Sam who run the Centre have continued to develop this community
facility and its ambience is a perfect venue for us. Its capacity for carparking, wheelchair access, and the
invaluable space for coffee, biscuits and general socialising is its greatest attraction. In addition we continue to
develop the technology to allow Gareth to simultaneously broadcast sessions.

The Wellingborough Community Gospel Choir, our sister choir and with whom we share so much, is
celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with a special Concert in The Castle Theatre on Wednesday 22nd June
and included in the evening’s performance will be a medley of DSO songs from our weekly sessions. Tickets
are available from The Castle Box Office.

And finally: our tears of joy at having our first Care Home back in person were magnified by Bert from Spencer
House who rattled off a lengthy Holloway rendition of I’m Getting Married In The Morning from My Fair Lady
alongside an even more impressive The Lion and Albert. I’m sure that the Queen herself will recall Mr& Mrs
Ramsbottom’s visit to the Zoo with young Albert even though when it was first performed, our Queen was a
mere 5 years old!

Lucy, Judith, Ruth, Cathie, Kathryn, Baz & Garry
(DSO Trustees).