My Life and Work as an Opera Singer

On 3 November, Elizabeth Key our newest member and a full time member of the Royal Opera House Chorus since 2006 gave a talk as part of the Eltham Arts Festival at Eltham Library.  She gave a brief history of when opera started and introduced to this country before telling us more about her life. Born in Mansfield at the age of 12 auditioned for the Cantamus Girls' Choir studying with Pamela Cook MBE who was a great inspiration and influence, giving her opportunities to tour abroad and appear on TV/radio.  When 19 she was accepted at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland studying for 7 years before joining the Royal Opera House. Her work schedule of some 200 performances per year which comprise of singing, acting and dance along with rehearsals and not forgetting the commuting! seems hectic but Elizabeth still finds time to be involved in numerous other musical projects.  A most inspiring young lady who says 'do the very best all of the time' which she certainly does.

I Spy Eltham High Street

Earlier this year we were approached by Eltham Arts Festival to participate in their 2016 event and after some discussion we devised a walking quiz of Eltham High Street which involved planning a route, compiling questions and spending time checking out the finer details.  A non member was asked to try this out and make any comments.  It was then time to design the entry form and arrange printing.  At the start of the festival on 29 October we delivered our leaflets and collection boxes to Eltham, New Eltham and Cold Harbour libraries and members also handed them out in Passey Place.  The quiz runs until 5pm 18 November when entries will be collected, checked and the winner announced at the finale on 20 November at the White Hart Pub, Eltham.  Members below handing out leaflets -