Catriona’s Swan Song

Last week our sensory singers said an emotional goodbye to our Choir Leader Catriona who is stepping aside to focus on family life.

There was much singing and celebration though, the event was emotional but not sad! A new Choir Leader will be appointed in due course but in the meantime, everyone at the Centre would like to wish Catriona all the best for the future and thank her for her work over the past years.

Under Catriona’s guidance, the Sensory Singers have become a real tour de force, performing a number of public shows, especially the very popular Christmas Carols and Festive Tunes at local supermarkets, securing lots of donations in the process.

An important factor about the Sensory Singers is that they have never been about being the best singers but instead, focused on singing for the love of singing, the camaraderie and the social aspect. All of the members have a sensory condition, some are blind and use Braille to read song lyrics, some are hearing aid users and others even have sight and hearing impairments but they all really enjoy the group.

Due to the pandemic, the group has not been able to gather together for over a year and Catriona who became a mum for the first time not long before the pandemic has decided to concentrate on family life.

To say goodbye and pass on the their thanks for a fantastic job well done, the Sensory Singers gathered in the Sensory Garden and as well as good wishes, in was inevitable that some singing would break out!

Catriona also presented the group with a card which was read out by Sensory Singer Chris Eades:

“To my wonderful Sensory Singers, thank you for all the fun, friendship and memories that we have created together. I will miss you dearly but know you will continue to flourish. Thank you for all the music, lots of love and hugs Catriona.”

Hi wife Lawson, our resident Poet Laureate, also read a poem written specially for the occasion:

“Your time with us is done,

and oh boy we have had some fun!

Must not have been easy, teaching us,

you did it all without a fuss.

You were patient, we sang along,

and soon we learned another song.

We mixed up words and made some gaffs

it was good fun and gave us laughs.

We would blether and make a din,

and sometimes you had to rein us in!

Forgot our sheets! Did not despair,

because Peter always had a spare!

You taught us how to sing in rounds,

no type of song was out of bounds.

From Waterloo to California,

America, Leith and Caledonia!

We washed the men out of our hair,

sang Christmas songs at the Winter Fayre.

Music stand toppled, we got a fright,

but kept on singing Oh Holy Night!

Enthusiasm we did not lack,

when we sang about Santa with his sack.

You’re moving on, new things to do,

our heartfelt thanks go out to you.

We wish you good times and lots of joy,

with Mylo your sweet little boy.”

We are currently in the process of appointing a new Choir Leader so our Sensory Singers will be back very soon! If you would be interested in joining the group, contact Linsey for more information! linseystocks@forthvalleysensorycentre.org