Duffield Singers, 'bout forty of us,                                                                                    Community spirit is our big plus                                                                                                                                                                               When Covid began way back in March,                                                                                             In the year twenty twenty, not still as starch                                                                                               No! Now came an effort to all stay in touch.                                                                            Thinking of ways, nothing too much!            

Right at the start, on WhatsApp, began,                                                                                          A group for the Tenors, a rather mixed clan.                                                                            With four tenor ladies and four tenor men                                                                             Looking out for each other, closely knit then.                                                                Newsletter begun to keep all in touch,                                                                                          Its aim, to lift spirits with jokes and the such                                                                     

Fortnightly Zooming began at the start                                                                                         To keep us together, rarely apart.                                                                                            Some of the choir members didn’t join in                                                                                  What ever the reason that’s up to them                                                                                Singing some songs, and chairman’s report,                                                                       Breakout for a chat - who with? What a sport!     

Singing alone is not quite the same                                                                                              And we all wait for Dana’s song - that’s why we came!                                                                                                                                                 New committee, elected September,                                                                                    Thinking caps on, they all got together.                                                                               Meeting on Zoom of course, (who knew of that                                                                    Before Covid began, not even the cat)!

Keeping in touch with choir members is key!                                                                               By phone, text or email, or all of the three                                                                          Especially those poorly, when cards will be sent                                                                           No visits allowed, but kind words are meant.                                                                                                                                              One thing we can do now we’re all in tier three                                                                            Is to meet for a walk, t’will be fun, you’ll see                                                                                                                                                       

Six or less people, two metres apart,                                                                                        Dogs Daisy and Floss right there at the start                                                                             And maybe some singing outside at St Marg’ret’s                                                                     But sadly the weather contriving against us                                                                                                                                         We’ll do them again, we’re not giving up!                                                                                We’re doing our best, this community club.       

And even the threat of tier four and lockdown                                                                          Will not stop the Duffielders, not keep them down!                                                                                                                                       Still Zooming and texting and singing alone                                                                               And lots of emailing and chats on the phone                                                                        Tenors and Sops have their own WhatsApp groups,                                                              Another for Everyone - gather the troops                                                                                                                                           Whoever you are in this choir, there’s a space!                                                                       We’re the ‘Singers of Duffield’, we all have a place!

Vicki Clemerson                                                                                                                              2020