DECEMBER - A couple of days after lunching at The Froize (see Christmas Lunch), members ended the Social Events calendar for the year with a visit to The Barbican, where they were privileged to watch the famous London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Colin Davis. Together with a 100-piece choir, they rehearsed Elgar’s "Dream of Gerontius" and it was a bonus for members that the conductor chose to rehearse the whole piece practically without interruption. Commented one member: "the experience was pure magic". After lunch at the Barbican, members boarded the coach and after a trouble-free journey arrived back in Brentwood at around 3.15 pm. (Report and photo: Brian Leith)