Projects
The Poetry of St Barnabas, Celebrating 150 years
This beautiful church was built 150 years ago by Thomas and Martha Combe, patrons of the pre-raphaelite artists. Designed to welcome up to 1000 worshippers, her understated exterior leaves you unprepared for the byzantine beauty of the turquoise and gold apse and the decorative interior.
Two poets Sir John Betjemen and Heatchote Williams both admired St Barnabas and expressed their admiration in poetry. It has been my priviledge to set them to song with the help of some wonderful musicians.
Photo by Ian Wallman
Three Idle Women
The Three Idle Women (Charlie Henry, Jane Rouse and Steph Pirrie) were forged by a shared love of the Oxford Canal and a fondness for close harmony singing, folk music and stories that are carried through song. Working together since 2013, together we write new material, re-arrange traditional songs and spreading a fondness for the canal and the waterways.
We love quirky instrumentation, rich vocal harmonies and strong stories which emerge from the heritage and history of the canal.