JFR Top The Year Off With Jam And Cream!
Junior FR held a very special gathering in Iron Acton on Friday 7th, July, for girls, staff, and parents to celebrate another full year of events for this unique and valuable club.
Afternoon tea with scones, tea, and biscuits was served by the volunteer staff in glorious sunshine before Wendy reviewed the hectic and successful year since last September, which began with four new members of staff (Carole and Julie from FR; plus parent helpers Anna and Laura) and three new girls (Natalie, Beth and Juliette).
Events during the year have included a jam-packed first term performing first at the Tockington fair in September (including a collaboration with the local Brownies);
the fantastic joint concert with The Femmes in December, and entertaining outside in the freezing cold at Watermore Primary Christmas Fair. These events included revisiting some older repertoire and introducing some challenging choreography and Makaton signs.
Spring term is always dominated by preparing for the Thornbury Eisteddfod, and Di (from FR) was welcomed to the staff team and her granddaughter Elsie to the choir. The larger staff team has allowed the exploration of partner songs and some harmony in the junior section (with Di, Ali, Anna, and Laura) and for the seniors to continue honing their three-part close-harmony skills (with Chloe, Julie, and Carole). Wendy was able to split her rehearsal time between both groups to drive performance and singing craft.
This was all very evident to see and hear in the performances on competition day in March and in the very high scores achieved by both groups. Ten girls also took part in various classes singing solos, duets, and trios, with cups being awarded for outstanding performances to Natalie (show songs); Caitlin (Musical Theatre); Evie (Folk Songs); Amelie and Lily (Duet).
JFR as a club was also awarded a special cup for its consistently high standard and valuable contribution to the Eisteddfod and local music community year after year.
Summer term brought two outside performance opportunities for both the choir and small groups at the Iron Acton May Day Fair and Yate Rocks in June.
Fabulous new songs were added to the repertoire in ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ and ‘Could it Be Magic’. Wendy thanked her whole team for their dedication and hard work in helping to make this year happen, including Kitty, who continues to support JFR at events and by creating teach tracks and writing PR articles.
While the cream teas were enjoyed, the parents were entertained by some remarkable performances from some of the girls, and then some annual awards were made as voted for by girls, staff and MD. Congratulations to Jasmine for Most Improved, Lucy for the Helpers Award, Natalie for Junior Role Model, Amelie for Senior Role Model, and Anna for the MD Award. All these awards celebrated kindness, helpfulness and dedication, which are core values for Junior FR.
Some fabulous long service awards were made this year, too – five-year badges for Olivia and Evie, who joined in 2018, and two more very special members joined Wendy and Kitty in the ‘ten-year club’ – mum and daughter team Chloe (staff) and Anna who both joined in 2013. Wendy thanked all the staff, particularly Chloe, who has stepped up to deputise when needed and to be an invaluable right-hand woman. Sad goodbyes and thankyous were made to Laura and to almost ten-year member Izzy, who leaves to attend sixth form college.
Final performances of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Could it be Magic sent everyone home with a smile on their face (but hopefully no jam and cream!), and all are looking forward to returning in September for another year of JFR that is full of fun, harmony, friendship and laughter (and maybe even a familiar face/voice?!)
by Kitty Davies
