Dorothy House Hospice Care is inviting local people to join one of their nine upcoming ‘Light up a Life’ Services to remember loved ones during the Christmas period.
The nine services held across Somerset and Wiltshire will start at Bath Abbey at 6pm on Tuesday 29th November, doors open from 5.30pm, entry is open to all and no tickets are required.
For more information on the other ‘Light up a Life’ services in the area, see list below this story or click here.
Dorothy House are also launching their new ‘Folded Wings’ CD at the Light Up A Life Service at Bath Abbey to help raise funds to support hospice patients, carers and families this Christmas.
The CD could make the perfect gift for music lovers in your family. They cost £5 and are available at all nine Light Up A Life services, at future Dorothy House events or via 01225 721480.
Renowned local composer, Tim Parker composed Folded Wings and gifted it to Dorothy House to celebrate their work and their 40th Birthday. Its theme is the unfaltering care given by the Hospice staff to patients, their families and carers.
The recording of ‘Folded Wings’ on the CD was made after a successful performance by the Dorothy House Quartet and Cantilena Choir conducted by Tim Parker at the hospice’s Thanksgiving Service at Bath Abbey in September. All the musicians and singers generously gave their time for free.
The song will again be performed at Bath Abbey on 29th November by the Dorothy House Quartet which is made up of four members of staff; Yvonne Brunton, Gavin Wood, Susanna Watson and Peter Howe.
The short Light Up A Life services will feature Christmas carols, readings, an opportunity to remember loved ones and to light a candle in their memory.
This year, the Bath Abbey service has the added magic of the beautiful voices of the chamber choir, Bath Camerata.
These seasonal services of remembrance are part of the annual Dorothy House ‘Light up a Life’ Appeal.
Last year the appeal raised £45,000 to help the Hospice provide essential palliative and end of life care, free of charge to local communities in Bath and North East Somerset, parts of Wiltshire and Somerset.
Speaking about composing Folded Wings for Dorothy House, Tim Parker, Vocal Coordinator, Bath & North East Somerset Music Service, said: “My first invitation from Dorothy House was for Cantilena, B&NES Music Service’s County Choir, to perform at their 40th Birthday Celebration in Bath Abbey, which moved me to write a piece about the Hospice and its great work.
“When I visited last summer I was struck by the overwhelming sense of happiness, peace and support at Dorothy House and Folded Wings was born out of this and the beautiful words on their mission statement – ‘supporting people to live well and die well’.
“I am delighted that Folded Wings will be performed again and hearing that it’s now been made into a CD and will help raise funds for the Hospice is absolutely thrilling and incredibly humbling.”
Phillippa Watson, Head of Fundraising at Dorothy House Hospice Care said: “The nine ‘Light Up A Life’ services are a great opportunity for families to remember loved ones and reflect before the busy Christmas season begins.
“We are also proud to unveil our very special ‘Folded Wings’ CD at these services and hope they’ll make an ideal stocking-filler this Christmas as well as raising much needed funds for the hospice care we provide to the community.”
Dorothy House supporter Anthony Nash explained what the Light Up A Life services mean to him and his wife Gill: “The beautiful and thoughtful structure of music, carols and readings makes this an unmissable event. Being there makes you feel close to your lost loved one at this special time of the year.”
Dorothy House Hospice Care, community fundraiser, Yvonne Brunton, who helped organise the services said: “Our Light up a Life services are a very special time for families and friends to join together and remember a loved one.
“Many people gain great encouragement from attending the services and view it as the start of their Christmas.”
The 2016 ‘Light Up A Life’ Services include:
• Wednesday 30th November
Peter Street Rooms, Peter Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BL
• Thursday 1st December
St Andrew’s Church, Long Street, Devizes, SN10 1NJ
The United Church, George Street, Warminster, BA12 8QA
• Monday 5th December
St Paul’s, Malmesbury Road, Chippenham, SN15 1PS
• Tuesday 6th December
Market Cross, Malmesbury – An outdoor service so please dress warmly.
• Wednesday 7th December
St James’ Church, Church Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8RU
• Thursday 8th December – (New Venue):
Wesley Chapel, Wesley Slope, Frome, BA11 1HA. Refreshments afterwards.
• Friday 9th December
St Bartholomew’s Church, Church Square, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 0BY