Carols by Lamplight draws even bigger crowd

December 12th, 2011
[by David Armstrong]

Motueka's very own, unique community carols event - Carols by Lamplight at Dyke's woolshed in Lower Moutere - threatens to become a victim of its own success with attendance this year meaning a packed building and standing room only.

Well over 200 people of all ages last night soaked up the balmy temperature and woolshed smells and sounds to hear and enthusiastically sing Christmas music in the authentic pastoral setting. Bev and Ernie Dyke have hosted the carols evening for about 25 years, and while this may have been an easier exercise in the past, the event is fast becoming one of the highlights of the district's end-of-year celebrations.

Indeed, the shed was already full to capacity at 7pm, half an hour before the music began, and those arriving subsequently had to sit outside the shed or stand outside the open side walls for the 90-minute celebration. One wonders how an even greater number can be accommodated without building an extension to the ancient shed or opening up further walls. Next year we may have to camp out for the day to get a seat!

Rev Peter Norman, of St Andrews Uniting Church, opened proceedings with a prayer reminding us that the original Christmas Day was held in a similar setting, that birth surrounded by the smell and sound of farm animals. Throughout the evening the sheep in the pen built into the shed beside the "stage" added their vocal contributions, often with hillarious timing and effect.

Motueka District Brass under the direction of John Rimmer did another sterling job playing both their own performance pieces and as backing for group singing. The relaxed style of the evening meant several last-second changes to the programme, but no-one seemed to mind.

Two a capella quartets - the local favourites Sisterhood and a new group from Takaka, the Bay Blokes - gave excellent items much appreciated by all. The combined choir, which performed so well in the Praise Be television show earlier this year, sang two lively numbers, and helped finish off the evening by leading the audience in a robust rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus.

Visitors came from Golden Bay, Blenheim and Christchurch. And Tasman District Mayor Richard Kempthorne was there with his wife and grandchildren - the organisers may have sighed with relief when he didn't bring up any issues to do with health and safety given way the audience and performers were so closely crammed in together.

Here are a couple of photos we took which showed parts of the crowd and Bev Dyke's shed decorations.

Comment by Linda Ashworth:
[Posted 23 December 2011]

What a great report on Bev and Ernie's annual Christmas treat. So sorry my husband and I couldn't be there this year. We have been to so many previous ones and I have sung in the St Andrew's Church choir too so reading the report brought back lots of many happy memories. Well done, Bev & Ernie .... you are stars!

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