THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER BY HILARY BROMAGE

Now on day 7 of our tour, it was a weary but buoyant group that met at Orillia Corps for prayers. This morning we reflected on things back home and many prayers were said reminding us of the people left behind in Glasgow.

It was then onto the coach to head for Peterborough, with a slight (??!!) detour for some sight seeing and to pick up a couple of forgotten uniforms. Arriving at Peterborough, we were taken straight away to a shopping mall for lunch - Tim Hortons is getting a lot of business from us on this tour - they should have been our sponsor!! Any thoughts of hitting the shops were put on hold as we were asked to sing in the mall. For me, things like this are what a tour is all about. many people listened as we sang two jolly numbers and My Shepherd, and good contact was made with the people listening. Then we were able to hit the shops.

Being a day of celebration with birthdays and anniversaries, a cake was presented at the welcome meal. Elanor, Ronald, Sheila and Colin were suitably embarrassed by being made to pose for photographs cutting the cake.

And so to the festival. A near packed house again.Tonight the songsters really rose to the occasion and sang so well. A request for In the Secret of Thy Presence was made, and all the soloists and Timbrelists did incredibly well. As usual, the drama made a big impact and many were deeply blessed..

CDs couldn't be sold quickly enough at the interval. All in all, we had a very successful and suitable impact in Peterborough.

For me, coming with Govan Songsters has been incredibly special. A 'Govan Girl' at heart, it has been fantastic to come home to 'my ain folk'. and spend the week with them. Everyone is so welcoming and the week has been a special one for me. Thank you.

FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER BY LORNA MCINTYRE

Folowing a good nights sleep and some new friendships!!! We joined for prayers in the hall at Peterborough. We received great encouragement from news that our singing at the mall yesterday had touched a lady who had been going through a difficult time in her life.

After some fond farewells we boarded the coach for a 2 and a half hour drive to Kingston. On route we stopped for lunch at, wait for it, not Tim Hortons but a lovely restaurant where we had a three course buffet style lunch.

On arrival at Kingston we were met with yet another fantastic Sanctuary and warm welcome. The people there had organised a tour of the city. It was nice to hear the historical background and see some amazing architecture, although, we did hear a few snoring from around the bus. Good job there wasnt a quiz at the end.

From there we went for lunch at a local Seniors centre where we served our second 3-course meal of the day. Can my uniform expand any more!!!

The evening festival was great and the hall was packed.

Brians relatives were sitting near the front and were so proud of their talented nephew. The bass section got a special mention in the thanks which put the Tenors nose out of joint. I feel mutiny brewing in the mens section!!!!

We are all looking for a good sleep tonight ready for the early start back to Toronto tomorrow.

SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER BY BRIAN ALLAN

Toronto here we come

Cant believe our tour nearly over already. Has been very eventful and challenging week. Found two Brians who are also drummers (but unlike me are good with the girls), had three nose bleeds, a tambourine bashing from Sheila Dow- I do forgive you now Sheila- and countless stares from Uncle Chuck (our esteemed songster leader)

We have our regular early morning as the songsters are let loose on Toronto after our customary bus trip with the legend that is Glen. Am reminded on the bus of one of my fav films “Muppets do Manhattan”. Now we have “Songsters do Toronto”, with Jean and Nancy replacing Waldorf and Stadler, will leave you to decide who Kermit and Miss piggy are.

After long week we get the chance to forget being songsters and become tourists. On arriving in Toronto we depart from the mall with the young crew heading for the CN tower.

This sight was def impressive, especially once you recover from the elevator ride. The view was enjoyed by all, unlike the glass floor which some people chickened out of.

After using a spool up on the CN tower the young crew headed to get grubbed up in the Rogers centre, where the view was equally impressive.

Once we were all fed and shopped we made the trip back to our host corps – Agincourt- where we set-up for the evening festival and were fed again.

I soon found out that a certain Mr. Ballantine would be in attendance – talk bout putting the pressure on – even Chic’s stares don’t have that effect.

We also got reunited with Brian Burditt, who had attended the Scottish Music School as conductor. A truer gent you would struggle to find. He found the time to give me some much-needed encouragement before we headed off to get ready for the festival.

Even though it had been a hard going and long week, straight from the off the songsters were in good form right and their singing was both uplifting and challenging. The soloists performing impeccably as usual, despite some dodgy accompaniments.

I know many people were blessed through the singing and the drama, myself included.

After the festival the young team (and Davy G) was invited to Barbs house, at least I think that here name. Where we got the chance to get to know the young people from Agincourt. For more details of the party ask someone who was there, I will deny all knowledge and responsibility

So after a long day and a very good nite, a very tired billet group heading back to our billets for some much needed rest

P.S Chic can we get rid of simply trusting plz? Have run out of variations

SUNDAY 23 AND MONDAY 24 OCTOBER BY CHIC RAMSAY

We gathered at Agincourt Temple at 9.45 am for our final meeting of our tour to be greeted by Territorial Commander Commissioner Christine McMillan. The Commissioner spoke with the songsters individually before sharing with us in prayer.

Agincourt Temple Band prepared us for worship by playing the beautiful meditation “Breathe”, Major David Radford’s theme for the Holiness meeting was “Alive in His strength” and Songster Moira Wilson shared in her testimony how when participating in her last half marathon (13 miles) she had given her all but could not face that last mile, she wanted to “give up” but then thought of the words of the songster song, “His strength is perfect” - “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength, His strength is perfect when our strength has gone” at this moment Moira heard from the crowd “Go on you can do it” and she did.

Unlike our first Sunday at Windsor the Songster Leader this time DID have his collection.

The songsters contributed “Rock Eternal”, “Jesus is Alive”, “Grace Alone” & “His strength is perfect”. Major David’s thought brought challenge and blessing to the attentive congregation.

Following the final congregational song “Great is Thy faithfulness” the songsters brought the tour to its conclusion by singing the theme song for this tour “Alive”.

Following lunch the songsters went on their final short journey from Agincourt to Pearson International Airport. At check-in some of the group were stung in the pocket as they faced excess baggage charges ( someone somewhere is getting a heavy pressie).

It was now time to say farewell to our hosts Songster Leader Andrew Burditt with his wife Shona (formerly of Edinburgh Gorgie) and their son Euan, our good friends whom the whole group love Jack & Margaret Bernard (London Citadel – formerly Govan) and our Tour Leader Major John Mills, someone whom we grew very close to and who offered so much to the group with his friendship and caring manner.

Like everything else on this trip all is going to plan and we boarded the plane at 14.30 then “took off” at 15.00 for our flight back to Glasgow. Once again we were very well looked after by the crew on this Thomas Cook Airline and arrived safely in Glasgow at 02.30 Monday.

After a lengthy wait for our luggage it was great to be welcomed at this time in the morning by so many family & friends of our Corps, What a welcome home. Thankfully the Greenwood Academy Minibus alias Bandsman Brian Keachie was there to whisk the Ramsay’s back home to East Kilbride. (Thanks Brian, Ruth & Gregor)

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all the songsters for their dedication & commitment not to me or Govan Songsters but to God as without this our tour would have been meaningless, I pray that the message we proclaimed in Canada will remain with all those we came in contact with.