Singing to the nuns and visitors in the light filled Chapel at Stanbrook Abbey, accompanied by Mr Reeves on the fabulous organ, was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the recent Chapel Choir Tour to Yorkshire. We were all made to feel so welcome by Mother Andrea, the Head Sister, arriving with just minutes to spare before Mass after a very long journey from Farleigh. The nuns' kindness and their deep love of music and singing left a lasting impression on us all.

After performing their repertoire in the very different setting of Ripon Cathedral the following day and paying a visit to the crypt, the children spent some time sight-seeing in York. They bought their own lunch at The Shambles Food Market before a visit to 'York's Chocolate Story', a feast of the senses exploring the history of chocolate production in York, which culminated in the creation of their own chocolate lollipops!

On the last day of the tour, the Choir headed back north up to Ampleforth for a Prep Schools Choral Workshop Day, hosted by Ampleforth College. Our 26 strong Chapel Choir surprised themselves with the speed at which they learnt a variety of new music they would be singing in a service at the end of the day, and coped very well with the challenging acoustic of the Abbey. Staff and parents who attended the service would agree that the sound of soaring voices of over a hundred children from half a dozen different prep schools was truly breathtaking and was a fitting grand finale to the 2017 Chapel Choir Tour.

With thanks to Mr Reeves, Mrs Minting and Mrs Henderson for ensuring that the children had a most enjoyable and memorable trip to Yorkshire.