THE STONE FAMILY 

We’re looking forward to overlapping here in Brighton for a day or two after Christmas! Meanwhile, here’s how 2023 has panned out for us...

 

Alastair:

 

2023 has been very exciting for me, as I finished my time at Oxford, travelled to the US for the summer, and then moved up to Ripon to start my new job at the cathedral. I spent my final two terms at uni continuing to be involved in the musical scene, chiefly by conducting Pembroke College’s run of the show Guys and Dolls, which was a fantastic experience, and as a repetiteur for the Opera Society’s Le Nozze di Figaro, which had a very successful run – including an acclaimed performance at the Sheldonian Theatre.

 

As part of the Arcadian Singers I spent Easter singing at Ampleforth Abbey, and was also with them for a recording of a newly-commissioned composition, The Gun Mass, which set anti-gun violence text alongside words from the traditional mass in partnership with an American poet. I then also did some exams which went well.

 

My final day in Oxford involved getting up for an early bus to Heathrow for a flight to New York so that I could work at the Lake Delaware Boys Camp over the summer, as a counsellor and organist. It was a challenging experience, but ultimately rewarding, and my first time in America. Highlights were evacuating the swimming pool because of a thunderstorm, evacuating our tents at 4am because of a thunderstorm, evacuating the chapel because it was too hot during a Christmas service in July, and being known as Cpt. Stone for just over 4 weeks.

 

After spending the rest of the summer back in Brighton with my parents and girlfriend, Elspeth, my birthday saw me moving into my new flat for my new job as Assistant Organist at Ripon Cathedral. My time in Ripon has been very good so far, with opportunities to accompany and conduct the choir coming fairly regularly, and a proper insight into the administrative and logistical challenges of running a cathedral music department.

 

At the time of typing, Christmas is as exciting as it is busy, particularly with managing our 60ish choristers for major services, as well as looking ahead to a carol CD recording in the new year (on which I will feature as both an organist and tambourinist...). As this is a 2 year post, I hope 2024 to be a little less frantic whilst I continue to settle here, but with recitals and an upcoming FRCO exam I have lots to look forward to.

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Tim:

 

It’s been a year of big change and I feel incredibly fortunate! I moved to a new church at the start of the year and it’s been such a joy – both Charity and I are really grateful for the family we’ve found there, after what was a really big transition! We got engaged at the end of February and we’re so excited to get married next June, it’s looking to be a great celebration.

 

I also finished my degree at Nexus in June and started my new role in the events staff at Coventry Cathedral (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree). Looking forward to what will be another exciting year of big changes!

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Buff:

 

In January, I finally settled in our home in Brighton for a 4 month sabbatical and took on the challenge of Veganuary, some reading (recommend: any book by Dave Bookless, Church of England webinar – The twin crises we face (climate change and biodiversity loss) tinyurl.com/34w9u4hf), had a retreat on Holy Island and quickly found a home with St Luke's Prestonville (https://www.stlukesonline.co.uk/) where I’m now an associate minister. I’ve been gripped by the urgency of the climate emergency we face so I’m now a bit of an eco-warrior, a slightly compromised vegan and an enthusiastic e-bike rider!

 

We enjoyed our cruise, loved the return to Northumbria in the summer and saw the lads settled in their new abodes. I was very proud to run the Edinburgh marathon with my sister Hilary – a PB for me! I've found a home with East Brighton parkrun and the Vegan Runners nearer to home.

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David:

 

It’s been a busy start my third year for me at Brighton College where the best bit of the week is the short time of profound silence during the weekly Hot Chocolate & Night Prayer in the Chapel!

 

I was delighted to tag along with the Chapel Choir in singing Evensong at Chichester Cathedral, with visits to Windsor Castle and Westminster Abbey on the cards for 2024. I’ve kept up with the Chaplain’s Thought for the Week as a regular video for pupils, staff and parents to view online (tinyurl.com/29kwmmv2) and I’m also very much enjoying the stimulus of filling in for absent vicars on Sunday mornings in a variety of local churches, often drawing on the content I continue to broadcast each Sunday on Coventry’s Radio Plus (https://www.radioplus.org.uk). 
 
With our love and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year,

​

David, Buff, Tim and Alastair Stone

 

​Here are some photos from across the year...